22nd convocation: NED students proud of being unique

As many as 1,413 students were awarded degrees at the graduation on Wednesday.

KARACHI: They may have all studied at the same institution but it was the institution that has made each of them a one-off, argued Muhamamd Noman, one of the graduating students at NED University of Engineering and Technology on Wednesday.

As many as 1,413 students were awarded degrees at the 22nd convocation of the NED University of Engineering and Technology that was organised with all the splendour associated with the momentous occasion in the life of graduating students and their parents.



Around 1,268 students were awarded Bachelor’s degrees in 20 disciplines of engineering and technology while 145 more earned Master’s degrees in 15 postgraduate programmes. Nineteen among them also won gold medals for their academic excellence.

Sindh education minister and pro-chancellor of the university, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, presided over the event in the absence of Sindh governor and chancellor of the university, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Abdul Wahab, vice-chancellor of the Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, was the chief guest.

“It is indeed a proud privilege for me to preside over the NED University’s convocation because at one time even I wanted to be a student at this institution but could not get into,” Khuhro told the graduating students. “You are fortunate to have this institution and today, under this white marquee [stretched at the university campus], you, the students, are the colours of this ceremony.”

The engineering university’s seventh vice-chancellor, Dr Muhammad Afzal Haque, hosted his first convocation, evoking the memories of last year when late Engineer Abul Kalam, the country’s longest serving vice-chancellor among public sector universities, presided over the 21st convocation of the university which was also the last of his 16-year feat.

“It is indeed an honour for me to take over this prestigious job from my predecessor, late Engineer Abul Kalam - may his soul rest in peace,” he said. “To continue from where he left is no doubt a challenging task for me.”

The vice-chancellor in his speech highlighted the achievements made by the institution since its inception in 1977 when the first batch of 231 students graduated in three disciplines of engineering. “Not only have we expanded into 20 degree programmes in different disciplines of engineering and technology but from this year the institution has also opened its doctoral programme to the students and faculty alike,” said Dr Haque.

Previously, the doctorate opportunities offered by the institution were restricted to faculty members only, but Dr Haque said now 41 scholars will be pursuing their PhDs.

He pointed out, however, that the accumulated liabilities of the university have crossed a whopping Rs1.5 billion due to the incessant increase in operational expenses, mainly the perpetual increases in salaries and pension funds announced by both the federal and provincial governments without any increase in the yearly grants.

“Our efforts to make university sustainable will go in vain unless a bailout package by the government is issued to wipe out the accrued liabilities,” he said. “If the declining situation is not arrested in the forthcoming year, it will continue to threaten the very survival of the university.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.