G-B governor says HEC has approved expansion of varsity in Hunza, Diamer and Ghizer. PHOTO: KIU.EDU.PK
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has given the only public varsity of the region its nod to open its branches, said Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Governor Ghazanfar Ali Khan amid a thunderous applause at the seventh convocation of the varsity at its main campus on Saturday.
The beaming scholars, including G-B Legislative Assembly (GBLA) member Bibi Saleema, lined up to receive their degrees from the governor at the ceremony which saw 75 gold and 67 silver medals awarded to the high performing graduates.
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The KIU graduates had finished their studies in the fields of business management, linguistics, social and natural sciences.
Beside that governor and VC awarded degrees to 678 graduates upon successfully completing their undergraduate and graduate programmes.
“I hope you realise the profound role upon your shoulders to ignite the spirit of peace, and prosperity,” said Governor Ghazanfar Ali while congratulating the graduates.
He said that the educated youth are the ones who can become the agents of change for a better future and society.
Students, he said, need to play their role in end racism, sectarianism and discriminatory practices in the society.
The governor further added that the federal government had noted the increasing pressure on KIU, which currently has two campuses in Gilgit and Skardu, in a region where an increasing number people seek quality higher education.
“These scholars are major drivers of change in the education, social and political landscape of our region for the better,” he said.
Ali said that the government was also aware of the problem faced by the students coming from various parts of the sparsely populated mountainous region and the to accommodate these students and other related matters.
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He said that HEC has approved the establishment of KIU campuses in Hunza, Diamer and Ghizer districts to provide higher education facilities to students at their doorsteps.
KIU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Asif expressed his optimism that students of the varsity would become responsible citizens and future leaders of their respective communities.
He said that the university was striving to provide quality education to students despite considerable challenges.
He said that the university, set in the background of steep mountains at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers, had the potential to forge a convergence point for students of Central, East and South Asia.
"I am delighted to be called a graduate,” Saleema said at the convocation. “KIU was a great experience and I am proud to be its student. I am sure my degree would definitely help me, my family and my country in my practical life.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2017.
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