Kufos graduates take oath against dowry and drug abuse at convocation

Kochi: At the 11th convocation ceremony of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), all graduate awardees took oath against dowry and drug abuse at the function held on university campus on Thursday.The university made it mandatory for all graduating students to submit this declaration, with the objective of nurturing socially responsible citizens.Speaking at the function, governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said nearly 70% of the graduating students were women, which made the university's anti-dowry initiative particularly significant. He emphasized that, in the present social climate, it is important for everyone to take a clear stand against social evils such as dowry and drug abuse.Arlekar, who is also the chancellor, said education in fisheries and marine studies should not be limited to earning a degree, but should ultimately serve society and contribute meaningfully to community development.In his address, fisheries minister Saji Cherian said Kufos is not only an academic institution but is also making strong interventions in coastal and ecological sectors, while contributing significantly to national development and social welfare.A total of 450 students graduated this year, including 110 undergraduate, 304 postgraduate and 36 PhD scholars. Girish Gopinath received best faculty researcher award and Rahul Krishnan received best young faculty award.