Iqra University confers degrees upon 840 students

VC reminds students of their responsibility to educate underprivileged street children

Iqra University awarded degrees to 840 graduating students of the Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes in the Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Media Sciences, Fashion Design and Education faculties during its 18th convocation on Tuesday.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, who attended the event as chief guest, awarded gold medals to nine students for their academic performance.

Addressing the graduates, the governor said that education can help reduce poverty and social injustice by providing equal opportunities to the underprivileged for upward social mobility and social inclusion.

"Education also increases access to social and economic opportunities, participation in political processes and promotes democratic practices," he said. "These all are essential ingredients for promoting human development."

He added that Pakistanis are struggling to attain a plausible position among the successful nations of the world, but the youth of Pakistan can lead the country towards the path of growth and success.

The governor said that the government is looking to reach out to the private sector to form responsible public-private partnerships with the goal of provision of facilities to citizens, especially in the higher education sector.

He asked the students to help those underprivileged street children who lack basic necessities of life.

Iqra University's Vice Chancellor Dr Wasim Qazi echoed the governor's thoughts and said, "You have a responsibility to educate and strive for the rights of those underprivileged street children".

During the event, it was announced that Iqra University has launched its medical facility under which a medical college will be established along with a 350-bed hospital.

The VC told students that they were entering their professional lives and said that by choosing to work for the interest and benefit of the country, they could help ensure the country's progress.

He added that the rising inflation and living expenses are making it difficult for the students to pursue their dream of higher education. Iqra University Chancellor Erum Lakhani said that they have been providing scholarships, free-ships and Qarz-e-Hasna to the deserving students. "This is the way we can fulfill the dream of being a welfare state," she said.

Chancellor Lakhani thanked the governor for presiding the convocation and all the dignitaries for attending the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2019.