Hyderabad: Education behind prison walls took a significant step forward on Wednesday, as 27 inmates from central prisons received degrees at the 27th convocation of Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU).
The 27 inmates, including one woman, from central prisons at Cherlapally, Rajahmundry and Kadapa received 12 undergraduate and 15 postgraduate degrees. A total of 36,145 students received degrees, diplomas and certificates at the convocation. The university also awarded 38 gold medals — 16 in the undergraduate and 22 in the postgraduate categories.
BRAOU vice-chancellor professor Ghanta Chakrapani said the university was expanding its focus on inclusive and digital education. “The true measure of an open university is neither its buildings nor the number of degrees it awards, but how many lives it improves,” he said, adding that the university was integrating digital technology with social objectives while expanding skill development. Among them, N Suresh of Rajahmundry Central Jail, who secured the highest marks in all his subjects, received a gold medal and a book prize. Twenty-three research scholars received PhD degrees and one was awarded an MPhil.