KARACHI: Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair said on Sunday that promotion of higher education can change the destiny of nations.
Speaking as chief guest at the Aga Khan University’s 2017 convocation, he extended his personal congratulations to the graduating class of 360 students.
Zubair also praised parents and faculty for their contribution to the graduates’ achievements, calling them “great players” in building the character and future prospects of today’s students.
He was of the view that a faster development can be achieved with academic advancement, adjusting the syllabus in accordance with the national requirements and present day needs.
The Governor also lauded the role of the private sector for the promotion of education in the province. He particularly mentioned the contributions of the Aga Khan University in this regard.
Zubair said that higher education held solutions to the country’s problems and that the promotion of education was the top priority of the government.
He further stated that fostering research at university level was the need of the hour.
The Governor said that the government was also giving much priority to the health sector.
He urged the graduating students to devote themselves to help meet the health needs of the people.
In his welcome address, AKU President Firoz Rasul recognized the determination, passion and talent of the students as he urged them to remember the importance of innovation in overcoming future challenges.
He highlighted how an innovative mindset required the willingness to explore new perspectives and to engage with others to find alternate ways of solving problems.
The convocation was an especially memorable day for MBBS student Atiya Hameedullah as she joined her father in becoming an alumnus of the university. Atiya’s father, Dr Hameed Ullah, completed his residency in anesthesiology from AKU in 1996.
Another proud parent, Kashif Malik, a gastroenterologist at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, was delighted to see his graduating daughter Ramsha Kashif follow in his footsteps by becoming a doctor.
A delighted Ramsha said, “My father has made such a tremendous effort to support me through these five wonderful years at AKU. His dedication to patients was my key inspiration to begin this journey and I really hope that one day I am able to give this profession the same level of commitment that he does.”
Convocation 2017 saw the School of Nursing and Midwifery graduate 129 nurses, 118 with undergraduate and 11 with graduate degrees. The medical college awarded 40 masters and 91 bachelors degrees, as well as three advanced diplomas and 11 diplomas in dental hygiene.
AKU also awarded 37 masters degrees in education and 12 Master of Arts degrees in Muslim cultures.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was also present on the occasion. His daughter was one of the students graduating at the ceremony.
