LAHORE – The University of Management and Technology’s (UMT) sixth convocation was held on Thursday at the university campus. Former Senate chairman Muhammad Mian Soomro was the chief guest on the occasion while former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed and renowned Islamic scholar Dr Rafique Ahmed were also present on the occasion.
The convocation was attended by a large number of students, parents, educationists and other dignitaries. Around 528 students were awarded degrees including 341 students of the School of Business and Economics, 121 students of the School of Science and Technology and 66 students of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities. UMT Rector Dr Hassan Sohaib Murad welcomed the participants and thanked the chief guest for gracing the occasion.
Nine students were awarded patron’s medals while 12 students were awarded rector’s medals for outstanding academic achievement. The Ahmed Dawood Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 0.1 million was presented to Aqsa Qaseem. The Sardar Ghalib Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 0.1 million was presented to Hassan Qayyum Khan.
The Dr Ahmed Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 50,000 was presented to Mehvish Salam Alvi. In his address, Dr Rafique congratulated the graduating students and their parents. He said that award of ‘W’ category by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), accreditation of the BS programme by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and building of new edifice for the UMT library were notable achievements of varsity in the recent past.
The UMT, he said, did not produce mere graduates but innovators and leaders of thought. He said that the Quaid-e-Azam had a global vision for Pakistan according to which the country would lead the way in producing Muslim intellectuals, thinkers and professionals. He said that this should be the driving force of UMT graduates. In his address, Qazi highlighted the importance of faith and belief in Allah.
He said that as Muslims we must follow the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and be strong in our connection with Allah. He said that it was incumbent for all Muslims to seek knowledge. Qazi said that Muslims must combine technological expertise and knowledge with their faith and belief in order to meet challenges of the future. The former JI chief said that Pakistan is endowed with immense natural resources waiting for competent graduates to explore and develop them for Pakistan’s advantage. He was optimistic that UMT graduates would be among those people who would take up this responsibility upon themselves. Soomro congratulated the graduating students and thanked the UMT for inviting him to the convocation that allowed him to share joys and hopes of students. He said that communication technology had changed the world and made it more competitive. He urged the graduating students to focus on research and creation of new knowledge in order to serve their country.
