HYDERABAD: (Abbas Kassar) An impressive ceremony of Academic Convocation 2017-18 was held at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Convention Centre, Allama I.I.Kazi Campus, Jamshoro yesterday to confer gold and silver medals and degrees upon successful candidates of PhD, M.S/ M. Phil., Master and Bachelor degree programs.

As many as 38 scholars were conferred with PhD degrees, whereas, 118 were awarded with M.S/ M.Phil degrees in addition to 1467 Master and Bachelor degree awards. This way a total of 1623 degrees were awarded to the proud recipients.

Several faculty toppers were honored with Chancellor’s Gold Medals, 8 best students were bestowed with Dr. N. A. Baloch gold medals and scores of other department/institute toppers were decorated with Vice Chancellor’s silver medals.

Besides, 4 eminent persons were honored with Special Gold Medal due to their meritorious Prof. Dr. Shuhabuddin Memon and Prof. Dr. Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar. Whereas, SU Controller of Examinations Ghulam Murtaza Siyal and Rashid Ali Silawat were awarded gold medals in the category of best officers and Abid Ali Pathan and Karma Sanjrani were conferred gold medals as best employees. Those who were awarded shields and appreciation certificates included Prof. Dr. Hafiz Munir Ahmed Khan, Dr. Yasir Arfat Malkani, Dr. Azahar Ali Shah, Prof. Dr. Tufail Hussain Shah Sheerazi, Dr. Fareeda Shaikh, Dr. Hakim Ali Mahesar, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed Pirzado, Dr. Naseem Aslam Chana, Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro, Dr. Muhammad Ali Ghoto, Dr. Amber Rehana Solangi, Dr. Amna Baloch, Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Tunio, Dr. Shuja Ahmed Mahesar, Dr. Ghulam Ali Jariko, Dr. Mudasir Iqbal, Dr. Fiza Qureshi, Dr. Sumera Umrani, Dr. Waqas Jameel, Dr. Ambreen Zaib Khaskheli, Dr. Bashir Ahmed Rind, Dr. Muhammad Aqeel Bhutto, Dr. Ghazal Kazim Syed, Dr. Aftab Ahmed Chandio, Dr. Amanullah Mahar, Dr. Irfan Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Zainul Abideen Sodhar, Ms. Nargis, Iqbal Jatoi, Rasheed Ahmed Shahani and Dr. Jabeen Bhutto.

The convocation president Pro Chancellor General Universities in Sindh and Special Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in his address on the occasion said that higher education was fundamental to the growth of economy of the present knowledge-based society. It contributed to income growth, labor productivity, entrepreneurial energy and the quality of life. It enhanced social mobility, encouraged political participation, strengthened civil society and promoted democratic governance through creation of new knowledge; which served as a catalyst for rapid development. Economic growth was the most important factor in poverty alleviation and improvement in quality of life of people at all levels of society.

“I am happy to note SU is progressing by leaps and bounds under the able leadership of its Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat”, Advisor Khuhro said.

Advisor Khuhro further said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had a vision and a commitment to transform Pakistan into a modern nation state; a dream and desire which she believed could not materialize without quality higher education; and youth empowerment. This is one reason why she wanted each district in Sindh to have an independent University. This mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was carried forward by Honorable Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman, Pakistan Peoples’ Party as he issued Sindh University directives to establish its campuses at rural districts of Sindh.

“I may partake that our worthy Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his learned sisters Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also cherish the dream of giving people of Sindh best higher education institutions. Bakhtawar Cadet College for Girls at Shaheed Benazirabad established in 2016 is just an example of this dream”, Mr. Khuhro added.

SU Vice Chancellor Dr. Burfat in his speech said that the given age was essentially the age of youth who served as their national life line. It was pleasant to note that 64% of Pakistan’s total population comprised youth below the age of 30, wherein, another 29% is between 19 to 28 years of age. In the world perspective, youth population was their greatest strength, resource and power.

Dr. Burfat opined that they were witnessing an increasing trend of youth taking over governments as executives. The glaring latest examples in this context are of Finland with a Prime Minister of 34 years, Ukrainian Prime Minister is of 35 years and North Korean Prime Minister is of 35 years. This was a wonderful trend and I hope one-day youth would lead and prosper Pakistan too.

“I avail this opportunity also to share with you the success story of University of Sindh in the last three years, commencing from the day I assumed office as its Vice-Chancellor – some of this story highlights include launching of student attendance, admissions, results, documentation and other such student – friendly online systems through introduction of E-portal mechanism for the first time, ISO Certification, winning of QS Asia ranking, enhanced research engagement through meritorious acquisition of financial, research, academic and professional grants, improved academia-industry interface, more vibrant university-community activism through signing of MoUs with in-and-outside the country organizations, universities and higher education institutions, higher M.S. and Ph.D. intake and production, amazingly superior travel grant and research project funding to university teacher and scholars by higher education commission and other foreign academic donor agencies, more cordial, gender -friendly student-oriented, youth-centered, quality-based and result-oriented working environment on competitive, open, transparent merit basis, more superior health and hygiene profile of the University and a much better landscape setting that has turned Sindh University campus into an ideal, idyllic place. In addition, we have also constructed a very beautiful entrance gate of the University, boundary wall around the campus, and converted the campus into a state-of the-art teaching-learning institution with improved security, rich plantation and a clean look. An efficient data centre, smart class rooms, timely results and timely academic calendar are some other successful features of the university. At this point, I would like to congratulate faculty and officials of University of Sindh specially, Controller of Examinations and his team upon efficient improvements made in the management and conduct of annual examinations. We have added value to our degree by introducing several reforms, changes and improvements in the system in this context”, the Vice Chancellor added.

Secretary Convocation Prof. Dr. Abdullah Dayo presented note of thanks; whereas Dr. Mahmood-ul- Hassan Mughal and Dr. Sumera Umrani moderated the proceedings of the Convocation.