LARKANA: Research should not be confined to high-quality papers, but also contribute to solving real-world problems, ensuring the uplift of the marginalised communities and benefits to society as a whole.

This was stated by Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Asif Ahmed Shaikh while speaking as chief guest at the 19th Annual Convocation of Szabist University, Larkana campus, here on Wednesday.

On the occasion, degrees were awarded to 177 graduates and postgraduates.

Mr Shaikh said students must be prepared to face a tough job market and they should support all the varsities besides their alma mater, adding that collaboration among the institutions would enrich the quality of education. Achieving success required extra efforts, he said and pointed that Japanese people succeeded despite language barriers, showing that determination was the key.

He said a new Sukkur IBA University campus would be established in Ghotki with fully-funded scholarships for the underprivileged students and the number of scholarships had been increased from 350 to 750. It would be functional in January 2026.

He said efforts would be made to secure more scholarships, including support for Szabist. A new campus in Qambar would also be opened, with the aim of providing education in the underprivileged areas.

The students of undergraduate programmes who received gold medals included Bushra Alias Sharka Shaikh (Business Administration), Akash Nagdev (Accounting & Finance) and Abdul Qadeer Memon (Computer Science).

Silver medalists of undergraduate programmes were Janatul Firdos Soomro, (Business Administration), Habibur Rahman Soomro (Accounting & Finance) and Muhammad Hassnain Tunio (Computer Science).

Gold medalists of postgraduate programmes were Saeeda Haiqa Rajput (Business Administration) and Asadullah Soomro (Project Management).

Aaisha Shaikh (Business Administration) and Toufique Ahmed Abbasi were silver medalists of postgraduate programmes.

Forty one students were recognised on Chancellor’s Honour Roll for their outstanding academic performance.

Others who also spoke on the occasion were Zahoor Hussain Shujrah, member board of governors; Dr Imtiaz Qazi, vice president of the Admin and HR; Dr Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, dean education and social sciences at Szabist University, Karachi, and Dr Zahida Abro, head of Szabist University, Larkana campus.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2025