LAHORE: Punjab University on Saturday awarded degrees to 885 graduates in an unusual convocation, as Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, the chancellor was not available.
This was the university’s 120th and Dr Mujahid Kamran’s last convocation as vice chancellor.
Many graduating students said they were disappointed by his absence. A university spokesman told The Express Tribune that the governor was scheduled to preside over the event, but did not show up due to “some important engagements.”
However, a faculty member, seeking anonymity, said, “The governor did not attend the convocation because he was not happy with the management. Some of his requests had not been entertained.”
The chief minister and the education minister had already regretted on account of their busy schedules, the spokesman said.
A senior PU teacher accused the government of ignoring the university.
“If the prime minister can attend Aitchison’s convocation, why can’t the governor take out time for PU?” he asked. He regretted that PU, the largest university in the province and third largest university country-wide, was given a step-motherly treatment.
Out of 885 students in various disciplines, 137 received gold medal, 129 were granted PhDs, 261 MPhils, 377 Master’s and 219 BA and BSc degrees.
The degrees were awarded by the VC, Dr Kamran. Registrar Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Controller of Examinations Dr Liaquat Ali, deans, principals, directors and heads were also present.
Dr Kamran said he hoped that the graduates would serve the country well. He regretted that Pakistan was placed 186th in the list of 193 countries in terms of spending on education as a fraction of GDP.
Also at the convocation, Syed Akhtar Hussain Bokhari was awarded a PhD degree in community dentistry. He completed his dissertation on Influence of Periodontal Treatment on Systemic Inflammatory Mediators: hsC-Reactive Proteins, Fibrinogen and White Blood Cells in CHD Patients, under the supervision of Dr Ayaz Ali Khan, head of Oral Health Sciences at Shaikh Zayed Post-Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. This was PU’s first PhD degree on the subject in 100 years.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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Oh big deal he didn't attend, let him sit home and watch Geo news. :-)
Hearty congratulations to the students!
@Munir Ahmad Saeed: You are absolutely right.Well said.
The convocation is always about those who graduate not about big personalities attending the ceremony. On that day it is the graduating student who is a VIP not any body else. punjab university needs to invite special guests who have excelled in social service and academia. Our political VIPs inspire no body.
PU should have invited Munawar Hussain or Liaqat Baloch. They are true Custodians of PU. Other dignitary was Great Khan, but his shock at PU he would have also refused .