CHENNAI: K Radhakrishnan (ADGP, law and order) and Tamil poetess T Sumathy, better known as Thamizhachi Thangapandian, were among the 419 scholars, who received PhD degrees at the 152nd annual convocation of the University of Madras on Tuesday.
A total of 596 graduands (DSc — 3, PhD — 419, rank holders — 93) received their degrees and medals in person and 86,806 in absentia.
Chancellor and Governor Surjit Singh Barnala gave away the degrees in the presence of Madras University vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam and Prof V C Kulandai Swamy, chairman of Tamil Virtual University.
Two visually challenged persons — K Muthuraman (History) and M Palani (Tamil literature) received doctorates.
Dr M Jayabalan, a scientist with the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Dr J Muthu Mary of University of Madras and Dr P Vekatesan, Reader in Zoology, Loyola College, were awarded DSc degrees.
ADGP Radhakrishnan, who submitted a thesis on “Policing communal violence: An analysis of community-based strategic and tactical responses”, told reporters that his work was based on the experiences he gained after the Coimbatore serial blasts in 1998. The former City Police Commissioner hoped his “efforts would be of some help for the policing in the State”. R Thilagaraj, head of criminology department of the MU, guided Radhakrishnan.