Bahria University confers degrees on 141 graduates

We must upgrade curricula, skill set to reach the pinnacle of success, says health minister

KARACHI: Bahria University Medical and Dental College held its sixth convocation ceremony on Saturday to honour the graduating batch. Students were awarded medals and merit certificates for their outstanding academic achievements.

The chief guest for the event, Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza, conferred degrees upon 141 Medical, Dental and Nursing graduates. Dr Mirza, who is also the special assistant to the prime minister on national health services, extended felicitations to the graduates on their success.

He said that he was glad Bahria University Medical and Dental College had grown and reached a prestigious level of academic excellence with a special focus on grooming and capacity-building of the faculty and students. He advised the graduates to be men and women of sterling character, have a positive attitude towards life and sacrifices personal gains for national interests.

Dr Mirza appreciated the contributions of the varsity and Pakistan Navy in imparting requisite education and said that medical sciences are going through a phase of rapid evolution with the advancements taking place in the fields of biological sciences and allied technologies. Medical and dental institutions, their faculty and students, therefore, must work together to continuously upgrade the curricula, skill set, pedagogical approaches and transform their environment to be more learner-friendly and research-oriented. "It is only then that we can reach the pinnacle of success".

Earlier, in his welcome address, Vice Admiral (R) Muhammad Shafiq HI (M) - the rector of Bahria University - said that he was delighted to extend his gratitude to the medical and dental graduates on their commitment, hard work and dedication in successfully achieving this milestone.

Shafiq said that Bahria University envisions inculcating students with quality education for which it is taking all measures to ensure that the standards are at par with reputed medical universities of the country and abroad. "We are committed to our journey of academic excellence and will continue to strive for progress in the fields of medical, dental, physical therapy, lab technologies and nursing in terms of education and research," he said.

He stressed that the varsity follows and implements rules and regulations in letter and spirit which he added, is depicted by all the programmes that are fully endorsed by regulatory authorities whether it is the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) or the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).

The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the education sector, naval officers and parents of the graduating doctors.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2019.