New Delhi, Jan 17: Union Minister of Human Resource Development Arjun Singh will be the chief guest at the XIth Convocation of the University of Hyderabad today.

The last convocation was held in 2007.

With student strength of more than 3,400 the University of Hyderabad has emerged as a top-ranking institute of higher education and research in India.

Union Ministry of Science and Technology has recognized this University as the Second Ranking University in the country.

University of Hyderabad has been honoured by the Government of India with the ''Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)'' Award for the excellence shown by the University in research and teaching in the areas of Science and Technology.

Under this Award, a yearly grant of Rs. 10 crore has been made for the next three years.

The University was identified by the University Grants Commission as one of the First Five Exclusive Universities in the country with ''Potential for Excellence'', and provided special funding of Rs. 30 crore for its overall development. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has reaccredited the University of Hyderabad and awarded it the ''A'' grade.

Every student enrolled in its regular programmes is given a fellowship every month which ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000. This financial assistance is provided in addition to other Government and Social Welfare scholarships whenever available. In this academic year (2008-09) University of Hyderabad started 18 new courses.

In this convocation, 864 students are to be awarded degrees and Diplomas which include 114 M. Phils., 104 M. Techs. and 81 Ph. Ds. It is the only University in India to have an RFID chip embedded in its degree to render it tamperproof. (ANI)