SUKKUR: As many as 546 students received their Master’s, MPhil and PhD degrees in various disciplines at the 9th convocation of the Sukkur IBA University held on its main campus here on Saturday.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who was the chief guest, gave away the degrees, besides gold, silver and bronze awards to the first, second and third position-holders, respectively.

Veteran Pakistan Peoples Party leader and Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah graced the occasion with their presence at the convocation.

All the honourable guests, students and their parents who attended the programme were welcomed by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ahmed Shaikh.

Murad gives away awards to toppers and degrees to successful candidates

Speaking at the programme, CM Murad Ali Shah congratulated the toppers and all successful candidates. He paid rich tributes to Sukkur IBA’s founder vice chancellor Prof Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui for his relentless efforts in establishing the institution, and acknowledged that “the Sukkur IBA University is today recognised as one of the prestigious institutions of the country due to his immense contributions”. Mr Shah said that Prof Siddiqui’s wonderful services to the cause of education could never be forgotten.

“I must say that the greatest tribute to Prof Siddiqui will be to continue his legacy; and I assure Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ahmed Shaikh of my government’s full support in the continuation of Prof Siddiqui’s legacy,” said the CM.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that it was a matter of pride for him to be with the IBA university students at this convocation and to see this institution achieving more and more milestones. He said that Sukkur was going to become one of the educational hubs of the country. “Youth is hope and future of Pakistan,” he remarked.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah described 21st century as the era of technological revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). He advised students to equip themselves with AI, no matter whatever the discipline they were in.

“The progress made by the Sukkur IBA University makes all of us proud,” he added.

VC Prof Dr Asif Ahmed Shaikh, in his speech, congratulated all successful students and their parents, and observed that “this is the time when you discover your destiny”. He impressed upon the students to always be grateful to their parents and teachers for the efforts they made to brighten their future.

The VC also highlighted the services of the late Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui and said: “He was a great visionary, a dedicated philanthropist and an academician who founded this great institution”.

Prof Shaikh expressed his resolve to carry forward the mission of IBA’s founding vice chancellor which was to serve the nation.

He asked the students to continue serving the nation in any capacity possible. He hoped that the students would uphold this university’s values and prove their mettle in their professional career.

He expressed his gratitude to CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and other dignitaries for gracing the occasion with their presence.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2023