‘University education is more than just receiving degree’

British Deputy High Commissioner Belinda Lewis visits SMIU

KARACHI: University education is not only about receiving a degree but it is about everything, said British Deputy High Commissioner Belinda Lewis.

"It is about living life and improving one's skills. Education is not formal learning, it is about lifelong learning, so keep pushing yourself and keep developing you," she said during a visit to Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) on Tuesday to share her thoughts with the students and faculty members.



Lewis, in her brief talk at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium, discussed three things which she thought are important to share with students.



First, she emphasised on the need for students to understand their ability to think out-of-the-box. Citing her own example, she said that when she was being interviewed at Cambridge College London for her admission, she was given four photographs depicting over the years changes in a garage and was asked to speak about them.

"After talking about some of the details, I stopped and asked them why they are asking me details of pictures and what does it has to do with my admission," she said, adding that the reason was the interviewer wanted to get an idea of how I think.

"One should always think from different angles, reviewing different perspectives and exploring topics," Lewis said. Secondly, she asked the students to not be lazy and avoid procrastination.

She also encouraged students to make an effort to give back to the society. "You can do mentoring, teaching or voluntarily help people," she advised the students.

She also urged the students to think what help they can give to the society. "Everyone in the world has something to share and something to give to the society," she concluded.

SMIU vice-chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, in his address, recalled the role the British played in establishing the varsity's campus. "The building was constructed under the supervision of an architect from England who did not charge a single rupee for his services," he said. After its completion, former viceroy of India Lord Dufferin travelled all the way from Calcutta to Karachi for the ground-breaking ceremony of the institute.



Towards the end of the event, Prof Shaikh presented Lewis with a hand-woven shawl, Sindhi ajrak, a momento and few books on the history of the institute and showed her the Quaid-i-Azam museum set up on the campus.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2016.