PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 16 -- The 20th convocation of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU) was held on Monday. In all, 27 gold medals were distributed in the ceremony, including 15 women students. Uma Yadav of Vrindavan Yojana, Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow, was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal. On this occasion, 28,421 students were awarded degrees, including 11,152 women students. For the first time, a transgender was also awarded a degree. Presiding over the ceremony, governor and chancellor Anandiben Patel lauded the achievements of the open university and said that at least 50% of the youth should have access to higher education. She said that the role of the open university was important in achieving this goal and for this, regional centres and online facilities will have to be used as much as possible. She expressed concern over the deteriorating environment and called upon everyone to fulfill collective responsibility. She praised the environmental protection programme presented by the children of Upper Primary School of Berui. The governor also appealed for public participation in the HPV vaccination campaign to prevent increasing cervical cancer in women. Chief guest IGNOU vice-chancellor Prof Uma Kanjilal said that only today's youth can build a developed India. She said that India was achieving milestones in the field of space, agriculture, security and science-technology, in which the contribution of youth was necessary. Mediums like ODL, artificial intelligence, machine learning and online learning will be helpful in achieving the goals of the National Education Policy. An MoU was signed between Open University and Allahabad Museum during the convocation ceremony. Under this, a new course of museum studies will be started in the university. Vice-chancellor Prof Satyakam presented a report of achievements of the university. On this occasion, cabinet minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, mayor Ganesh Kesarwani, MLA Guru Prasad Maurya, Babulal Tiwari, vice-chancellor Prof Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Mahamandaleshwar Kaushalyanand Giri 'Tina Maa', etc. were present....