Students overcome physical challenges to get PHDs

Aziza Saeed is visually impaired, while Kausar Inyat has been diagnosed with a brain tumour

LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) Lahore awarded Aziza Saeed and Kausar Inyat with PhDs in philosophy after they completed their research on Urdu literature despite facing physical challenges.

Saeed is the first visually impaired student to receive a PhD from the varsity, while Inyat was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Talking to media, Saeed said that she had never allowed her visual inability to stand in the way of her pursuit for knowledge.

“Urdu Literature is perhaps the most challenging subject for a visually impaired person as the reading materials for this subject are not available in audio or digital forms,” she maintained

I used to pay people to record books for me, she added. Saeed also demanded that the government set up a special digital library for Urdu Literature in the country to assist visually impaired students.

Meanwhile, Inyat said that she had completed a major chunk of her research work while lying in a hospital bed. However, she did not let the brain tumour stop her from achieving her dreams.



GCU Registrar Saboor Ahmed said these two women served as an inspiration for other students. “May all our students be able to materialise their dreams and make us proud,” he expressed.

Physicist Dr G Murtaza was the chief guest at the opening session at the varsity’s 16th annual convocation. Alongside, Vice Chancellor Dr Hassan Amir Shah, he awarded degrees to students.

A total of 2,349 degrees will be awarded this year at the varsity’s two day convocation.

In his address, the vice chancellor expressed that it had become increasingly difficult for the common man to afford quality education. Therefore, GCU awarded scholarships worth Rs62 million to students from its own budget and endowment fund, he revealed.

He also had a few words of advice for the students. In the pursuit of glory, you must retain the fundamental norms of creativity, farsightedness and persistence which are qualities that have always been cherished at GCU, he expressed.

He also counselled students to bridge the gap between their ideals and the harsh reality of life. “Your success lies in the patience and determination that you can muster up,” he said.

During his address, G Murtaza appealed to students to never forget the contributions of their parents; your parents compromise a lot just so that you can be successful, he stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2018.