Riphah University convocation: Private sector urged to invest in mineral exploration

Scientist says private sector should join hands with universities and research institutions.

The private sector should join hands with universities and research institutions to invest in ventures to explore the country’s mineral wealth. This was said by scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand at the sixth convocation of Riphah International University here on Saturday.

He said 95 per cent of the wealth of Pakistan lies under its soil in the form of huge deposits of coal, copper, gold silver, iron ore, lead, zinc, chromites and bauxite. Large gas fields and oil deposits may be lying under ground awaiting discovery, he added.

He urged the private sector to invest in these ventures, with universities and research institutions providing the intellectual input. “With a single-minded focus on this vision there is no reason why the economy of the nation will not take a giant leap forward,” he added.

Nearly 1,000 students of Riphah International University were awarded degrees at the university’s sixth convocation. Twenty-two Zulfiqar Gold Medals and 18 Chancellor’s Gold Medals were awarded to high scoring graduates and post-graduates in their respective disciplines during the ceremony held at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

Pro-Chancellor Hassan Khan said due to the floods last year the university decided not to host a convocation and channel the funds towards building 40 houses for the flood affected near Charsadah. We have almost completed that project and the houses shall be handed over by the end of this month,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2011.