Hamdard University convocation: Higher education govt’s top priority: Saira

Health minister hails HU’s contribution in health, education sectors

ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Saira Afzal Tarar has said that higher education was on government’s top priority and it has allocated a major chunk of budget for education sector.

While addressing graduates of a convocation at Hamdard University (HU) Islamabad campus here on Thursday, she said that last year the government allocated Rs75 billion for higher education and in the current years Rs20 billion have been allocated for development schemes of higher education.

While hailing contribution of the university in health and education sectors, she said that the private sector will have to help the government in taking the country forward.

While recalling services of the late Hakim Said, the minister said that he served the humanity without discrimination and biasness and his life was full of selflessness and altruism.

Tarar said that the university was a role model for the entire country in the field of education and health.

HU Chancellor Sadia Rashid urged the passing graduates to accept contribution of others in their life and only then the country could be steered towards progress and inclusive development.

While giving example of the steady progress of the institute from a two-room building, she said that its evolution to a full-fledged university was a lesson for those who remain steadfast in their work with unwavering dedication.

HU Vice-Chancellor Prof Hakim Abdul Hanan said that the university spends Rs45 million in scholarships for deserving students as per the vision of the late founder, who wanted to give due share to the students of remote areas to bring them at par with those in the cities.

At the convocation, digress, shields and medals were distributed among 271 graduates of pharmaceutical sciences, engineering and business administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2016.