Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/468

 selves suitably unto the position to which, by the Degree conferred upon them, they have attained." The duty of addressing you on the present occasion has fallen to myself. In some respects I could have wished that the task had been assigned to some one more closely connected than I am with the great educational work which this University tests, and confirms with the seal of its approval. But I do not forget that the Senate of this University comprises representatives of all professions and callings, and that the Chancellor, in his discretion, may see fit to name any member thereof to offer you counsel, and in the name of the Senate, wish you "God speed" in your various paths of life. The presence here of an unusually large number of graduates in Arts, on whom Degrees have this day been conferred, testifies to the fact that the regulations of this University are no hindrance to higher education. Year by year, the tests become more efficient and practical, and a Degree in Arts, Law, Medicine, or Engineering is not granted until the candidate has shown a competent knowledge of the subjects in which he is examined. On looking over the history of the Madras University, since its formation in 1857, I find that, including the graduates of the present year, 1,345 have passed the examination for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, 32 have graduated as Master of Arts, 213 have obtained Degrees in Law, 34 in Medicine, and 29 in Engineering. These results are, on the whole, satisfactory, though I should have been better pleased with them, if they had shown a larger proportion of the educated youths of the country devoting their energies to Medicine and Civil Engineering. In regard to Medical Degrees, I have no doubt whatever, that the local authorities who now largely employ Medical men for the charge of Hospitals and Dispensaries, will ere long insist on the possession of a University Degree by those whom they employ, and that the proportion of Medical graduates, from this and other causes, will steadily increase. I am not without hope also that the recent activity in railway extension and other public works of magnitude in many parts of India, may cause a demand for the services of more local graduates in Engineering.

The Madras University, in common with other Indian Universities, is now empowered by an Act passed by the Legislative Council of the Government of India, to confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on any person of eminence or distinction, who may be recommended by the Syndicate, and approved by the Senate. In this respect the Indian Universities are now in the enjoyment of powers similar to those possessed by the