SBS State University to hold maiden convocation; 548 students to be awarded degrees

Ferozepur, November 13, 2026: Marking a significant milestone in its academic journey, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University (SBSU) will organise its maiden convocation on Saturday, five years after attaining university status. A total of 548 students will receive their degrees, while 90 meritorious students will be honoured with medals for their outstanding academic performance.
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will jointly preside over the convocation and confer the degrees and medals. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the high-profile event, including the construction of two separate helipads on the university campus for the arrival of the dignitaries.
The maiden convocation comes after a long journey of institutional transformation. The university was granted state university status on April 1, 2021, having begun its journey as the College of Engineering and Technology in 1995.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Kumar Sharma said the degrees would be awarded to BTech and postgraduate students, besides three research scholars who have completed their PhD. Of the 548 degree recipients, 90 students would also receive medals for academic excellence.
In another highlight of the ceremony, the university will confer its prestigious 'Award of Honour' on seven eminent personalities for their exemplary leadership and contributions to society. An alumni meet will also form part of the celebrations, providing an opportunity for former students to reconnect with their alma mater.
Dr Sharma said the university had prepared a series of proposals highlighting its developmental needs and future expansion plans, which would be placed before the Governor and the Chief Minister. The proposals include increasing the annual government grant to Rs 35 crore, introducing new academic programmes such as BSc Data Science, BSc Agriculture and BSc Pharmacy, and augmenting faculty strength, laboratory facilities and campus infrastructure.
UNIVERSITY WITHOUT REGULAR VC FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS
Despite being elevated to university status in April 2021, SBSU remained without a regular Vice-Chancellor until January 2026. During this nearly five-year period, the institution was largely dependent on temporary administrative arrangements, with the additional charge of Vice-Chancellor being assigned to heads of other universities from time to time. The prolonged absence of a regular head had its implications for the university's administrative and academic functioning.