Bhubaneswar, Sep 1: The professors and faculty members of the SOA Deemed to be University here on Tuesday deeply condoled the passing away of former President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee who visited the campus in 2017.

“We fondly recall Mr. Mukherjee’s visit to our campus on November 22, 2017 as the chief guest of our university’s fifth convocation,” a condolence message issued by the university said.

The message said: “We remember his words– institutions of higher education must focus on churning out quality scholarship by laying emphasis on value formation along with technical skills and intellectual knowledge.  A university has to be a temple of learning – of humanism, tolerance and balanced learning.” 

“We pray to almighty God to allow his soul to rest in peace,” it said.

A condolence meeting was organised in the university which was attended by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, Registrar Prof. B. B. Pradhan, Deans of different faculties and officials. Prof. P.  K. Nanda, Dean (Research) read the condolence message.