LAHORE: The second convocation of four-year BS programme of the Government Postgraduate Islamia College for Women, Cooper Road, was held here on Saturday.

Degrees were awarded to 472 students while gold medals were conferred on some 20 students in recognition of their exemplary performance.

Addressing the ceremony, chief guest Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani said girls were being provided with equal opportunities of studies in higher education institutions.

“Girls should take maximum benefit of these opportunities so that the potential of half of the population could be fully exploited for the collective well-being of society,” he added.

The minister asked the students to strive for excellence in their respective fields. He said educated women were capable of bringing about vital socio-economic changes at grass roots.

He said sufficient funds would be provided for bringing about further improvement in public sector colleges in the coming budget. He said the students should not be afraid of difficulties in their practical life as there was no shortcut to success.

College Principal Prof. Farzana Shaheen presented the performance report of the institution in the welcome address.

Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin, Punjab Director Public Instructions (Colleges) Chaudhry Jahangir Ahmad and Lahore Division Director (Colleges) Zafar Inayat Anjum were also present.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2017