JEDDAH, 20 March 2007 — India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan recently honored 52 meritorious students of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), including Sabitha Rahim of International Indian School, Jeddah (IISJ), by presenting them gold medals.
Sabitha received the IGNOU gold medal for winning a first rank in English literature master’s degree exam at both national and international levels. The medals were presented during a convocation ceremony at the university in New Delhi.
IGNOU Vice Chancellor V.N.R Pillai, who presided at the function, said 111,699 students from 129 academic programs were eligible for the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates. Sabitha said she was extremely happy to have received the award, which she won “as a result of hard work, perseverance and prayers.”
For those aspiring to higher education, her advice is: “A certain amount of self discipline and sacrifice is needed for academic excellence. No pain, No gain.”
“For the first time six students from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal and Qatar received gold medals,” said Riaz Mulla, general manager of Ateico Communications, which represents IGNOU in Saudi Arabia with a strength of over 800 students.
“IGNOU Saudi Arabia has received two gold medals in the last two years,” he pointed out. Ateico is planning to hold a ceremony in May to distribute degrees, diplomas and certificates, he said, adding that it would be attended by Pillai.
