KARACHI: Hamdard University (HU) has conferred degrees on over 1,200 students at its 26th convocation.

The ceremony was presided over by HU Chancellor Sadia Rashid, who is the president of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (hec) chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad was the chief guest.

The graduating students were conferred degrees on Saturday in various disciplines including MBBS, BDS, Pharm D, engineering, business administration, education, law etc.

A total of 21 scholars got their PhD and MPhil degrees. Thirty-five were awarded MS degrees, 45 BEd, 11 BCA, 86 BS, 42 MBA, 52 BBA, 156 BE, 141 BCS, 47 BA-LLB, 186 MBBS, 37 BDS, 27 BEMS, and 293 students were given PharmD degrees. Seventy-five students were awarded associate degrees.

In recognition of their hard work during various courses of studies, four students were awarded the Shaheed Hakim Said Gold Medals and 20 students the faculty gold medals.

In addition, five students were awarded the Shaheed Hakim Said Certificates. Four faculty members were given special awards for displaying excellence in teaching.

Speaking on the occasion, the HEC chairman Dr Ahmad urged the faculty members to spend considerable time on teaching the students how to become better human beings and good citizens.

He explained how some Pakistanis had helped the state of Singapore build an airline and also its main IT infrastructure. “But back in Pakistan itself things are going from bad to worse. That’s because Pakistanis have yet to become a well-knit and cohesive nation. Today the country is searching for a nation,” he remarked.

In her speech, Ms Rashid exhorted the students to become good citizens, not just great professionals.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2024