LOWER DIR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on Thursday asked the university’s graduates to utilise their knowledge and energies for welfare of the nation and development of the country.

He was addressing the seventh convocation of University of Malakand (UoM) as chief guest here on Thursday. He said that Pakistan needed educated and skilled youth to play an important role in its development and prosperity.

Besides students and faculty, former vice-chancellor Prof Gul Zaman, pro vice-chancellor Dr Attaur Rehman, controller of examination Mohammad Shahid, registrar Hidayatullah, Dr Arab Naz and SP Zahoor Ahmad attended the convocation.

The governor awarded degrees to 305 BS students, 40 PhD scholars and 50 MPhil scholars. He gave away 106 gold medals to position holders on the occasion.

395 graduates of Malakand varsity get degrees at convocation

Vice-chancellor Prof Rashid Ahmad briefed him on the progress of university. He claimed that the university earned a good name not only at national but also at international level within a few years. He said that students from far-off areas of Malakand sought admission at the university. He said that it had signed memorandums of understanding with several universities in the United States and other countries.

Addressing the convocation, the governor said that during the current years, he distributed degrees among 11,000 students which was a good sign. He asked the graduates to wholeheartedly serve the nation.

He said that research was the need of the hour and students should focus on it. He urged the graduates to keep their mind cool, tongue sweet and be tolerant. He said that they to work hard to brighten the name of the country.

The governor said that Election Commission of Pakistan had banned appointments and he would regularise the services of ad hoc employees of the varsity once the ban was lifted. He also approved development work at the women sub-campus of the university.

The administration closed the university and its constituent units including women sub-campus in Batkhela and University Public School and College on November 23 and 24 in connection with the governor’s visit and post-convocation holiday.

Later, the governor visited Centre for Computational Materials Science and examined the fastest super computer. He lauded the efforts of Dr Iftikhar in the establishment of the centre. He urged students to take benefits from the super computer and utilise its information for software development. He also planted a tree on the varsity premises and urged the management to plant more trees for a clean and green Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2023