With over 2,500 students receiving fruit of their labour, the 46th convocation of the seven campuses of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) was held on Monday.
The seven campuses were connected through a video link, which showed the rector’s address and the event proceedings.
In Islamabad, almost 700 young and hopeful students gathered at the Jinnah Convention Centre, out of whom 55 were given gold, silver and bronze medals. Around 30 more got the institute/chancellor medals for excellent academic performances.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the chief guest was not able to make it to the event. However, CIIT Rector Junaid Zaidi delivered an interesting speech that highlighted the institute’s progress in 12 years of its existence.
With an impressive GPA of 3.89 in her MBA, Amara Yousaf was awarded two gold medals. While talking to The Express Tribune, she said she wasn’t expecting to get the awards, adding that it was a special and memorable day which she will cherish for the rest of her life.
Other campus gold medallists included Shujaat Ali Khan, Farya Tanvir, Saadia Maqbool, Syeda Mariam and Abrar Ahmed.
Interestingly, most of the campus medals were bagged by female students.
The varsity’s dean, Sajjad Mohsin, also noted the pattern and congratulated the recipients. He said it was a positive step for not only the receipients but for the entire country.
The institute/chancellor medals, which were given to more students, had an equal ratio of male to female receipients.
Though the spotlight was mostly on the medallists, other students wished their high achieving peers well while being hopeful and optimistic about their own future.
Usama Salim, a graduating student of computer science, said, “I have been working with a software house for some time now and I enjoy my job. Degrees are worthwhile to everyone, not just to those who have high GPAs.”
He said he will pursue higher studies in the subject after two more years of work experience.
In Abbottabad, the convocation was held at the newly-constructed auditorium, during which CIIT Abbottabad Director Dr Gul Khan Jadoon awarded the degrees to 558 undergraduate and 102 graduate students. As many as 65 students were awarded with the institute/chancellor medals, while another 35 were given campus medals.
The rector, who addressed the students through a video link, congratulated the graduates and advised them to play an effective role for the country’s advancement. He appreciated the efforts of parents and faculty members in preparing students to meet future challenges.
Jadoon, during his address, briefed the audience about the progress and future plans of CIIT Abbottabad. He said CIIT is Pakistan’s top-ranked university in information technology, holds sixth position in research and productivity and is the only ISO 9,000 certified institute in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In Wah, a total of 278 students were given degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Management Sciences, while a total of 15 campus medals and 10 institute/chancellor medals were given to position holders.
The director, Dr Tayyab Akram, presented the campus report and informed the audience about the generous amount of scholarships being provided to students from far-flung areas of FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The students’ representative, while recalling her stay at the institute, said it was the best time for their entire batch. The entire graduating lot presented a standing ovation to their parents for their sacrifices.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2012.
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