KARACHI, Dec 28: The 24th convocation of the Pakistan Navy Engineering College, a constituent college of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), was held at the Bahria auditorium on Friday.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila was the chief guest. He awarded degrees to 202 graduates in various disciplines of engineering.The recipients included 54 Pakistani Navy officers, eight Saudi Arabian and three Yemeni naval officers and 137 NUST civilian students, who were awarded bachelor of engineering (BE) degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering and industrial and manufacturing engineering.

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief of the naval staff said that the country was passing through a very crucial juncture where application of genius minds and professional competence was mandatory for indigenisation.

He said that engineering graduates being the future leaders and hope for the country had to take the country to new heights of progress.

This could be achieved only through relentless efforts and adopting emerging trends in the fields of science and technology, he added.

The admiral urged the graduating officers and civilian students to always give priority to moral and ethical values and never compromise on principles.

He said that it was only the people with conviction and strong principles that were remembered in history.

He congratulated the graduates on achieving a milestone in their academic career, particularly those who earned distinctions for their outstanding performances.He also appreciated the commitment of the PNEC to its cause and endeavouring to turn itself into a centre of excellence in the field of engineering.

He said dedicated research work at the PNEC in important areas like renewable energy, thermal power, industrial manufacturing, secure communication, etc, was a matter of pride and satisfaction.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant of the Pakistan Navy Engineering College Rear Admiral Imdad Jafri highlighted salient features of degree programmes at the PNEC.

He apprised the audience that currently the college was conducting BE, MS and PhD programmes in mechanical, electrical, electronics, industrial and manufacturing engineering. Currently, 27 students were doing PhDs at the college, he said.

He said that the college was also conducting BS (MIS) through hybrid distance learning which had recently earned the highest category of accreditation from the National Computing Education Accreditation Council.

The ceremony was also attended by rector of the NUST Lt-Gen Mohammad Asghar, senior naval officers, parents and relatives of the passing-out graduates. —APP