GCU convocation-II: 922 graduates include two sports stars

Higher education minister hands over cheque of Rs100m to varsity’s endowment fund

LAHORE: Sidra Amin and Zara Ahmad Khan, two international sportswomen of Pakistan, got their degrees and prestigious rolls of honour for sports along with 922 other students on Friday at the Government College University (GCU) convocation.

Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani and School Education Minister Rana Mashhood jointly chaired the concluding ceremony of the 15th convocation of GCU, Lahore, in which 608 BA/BSc (Hons) and 314 MA/MSc students received their degrees, academic medals and co-curricular/sports rolls of honour.

Sidra, the star batsman of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, received her degree of Masters in physical education and Sports Rolls of Honour in Cricket, while Zara, the centre-forward of Pakistan’s international basketball team, received her BSc (Hons) degree in biotechnology and Sports Rolls of Honour in basketball and tennis.

In his convocation address, Gillani said there was an urgent need to revisit the strategy and structure of education to address the needs of people.

“Our education system is intended to serve the nation. The Punjab government will take all necessary steps to bring at least five educational institutions, including GCU in the ranking of world’s top universities.”

The minister presented a cheque of Rs100 million to GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah on behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “The chief minister wants that not a single day shall be wasted and these funds should be used for the welfare of bright students of GCU,” Gillani remarked.

Dr Hassan, while announcing the name of Sidra, said: “GCU has produced hundreds of sportsmen who made Pakistan proud globally, and I am very happy to see that girl students of GCU are also excelling in sports. And this is for the first time that the varsity has awarded the roll of honour in cricket to a sportswoman.”

Sidra said this was the proudest moment of her life as she graduated from GCU with its top award. She said she took leave from national camp in Karachi to attend this great moment of her life. “Besides education, GCU has also given me confidence and courage,” she added.

This year, girls have once again outshone boys in academics by securing 24 of out of 37 academic medals and rolls of honours.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2017.