NAWABSHAH, Feb 3: The second convocation of the Quaid-i-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology was held here on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the monitoring and evaluation cell, Sindh, Dr S. M. Qureshi, who was the chief guest, observed that engineers were the backbone of national development and, therefore, their proper training should be ensured.

He said the country's natural resources needed to be exploited so that people could be provided with essential facilities at low costs. He said engineers should play their role in this regard.

He said higher education was necessary for economic and social development of a country. He said higher education institutes had the responsibility to equip individuals with advanced knowledge and skills in different fields.

He said enrolment ratio in higher education among the 18-23 age group was more than 50 per cent in developed countries but in Pakistan it was less than 30 per cent. He said Pakistan produced less than 100 engineers and scientists per million population whereas Japan produced 4,841, Korea 1,120 and India 220.

Quaid-i-Azam university vice-chancellor Prof A. A. Junejo said the university would introduce electronic engineering and energy and environment engineering programmes during the current year.

He said the university had completed a number of projects, including establishment of an IT institute at a cost of Rs38.23 million, improvement of laboratories and the library at a cost of Rs39.65 million, establishment of higher education research and development centre at a cost of Rs55 million, a university development scheme, phase-II, at a Rs173.90 million, repair and improvement of existing facilities at a cost of Rs25.18 million, computerization and network enhancement at a cost of Rs29.96 million and establishment of centralized laboratory facilities at a Rs35.87 million. He said a hostel for visiting faculty was under construction which would cost Rs15.13 million.

Degrees, certificates and medals were distributed among 248 graduates of 1998 and 1999 batches of different faculties of the university. Erum Memon of 1998 batch (computer engineering) and Abdul Razzaq Sehto of 1999 batch (mechanical engineering) received gold medals for securing first positions in their departments.

Gulshan Oad and Zafar Siyal of 1998 batch (computer engineering), Bisharat Ali of 1998, Erum Memon of 1998 (computer engineering), Manthar Keerio of 99 (computer engineering), Abdul Razzaq Sehto of 99 (mechanical engineering), Mukhtiar Leghari of 1999 batch, Umair Ali Khan of 99 (computer science) and Akhtar Jalbani of 99 (BCS) were awarded silver medals and merit certificates for securing positions.