Graduation ceremony: 72 dentists vow to serve all

The valedictorian, Sara Ikram Khan, stood out with her 13 distinctions, nine gold medals.

KARACHI: As many as 72 young dentistry graduates took the Hippocratic Oath on Friday at Fatima Jinnah Dental College’s 18th convocation at PAF Museum Hall on Friday.

Donning black gowns, square-top academic hats and white triangular scarves lined with maroon, the young dental surgeons took the oath with Karachi University (KU) medicine faculty dean Prof Dr SM Abbas Hussain. All the students, reading after the dean, pledged that they will not let any consideration of religion, nationality, race, caste or politics get in the way of dealing with their patients.

While all the successful graduates were overjoyed at getting the fruit of their four-year-long struggle, valedictorian Sara Ikram Khan stood out with her 13 distinctions and nine gold medals. As the recipient of the best graduate award, all eyes were set on her as her name was repeatedly called every time a first position was announced. She received all of her awards graciously from the chief guest, nuclear physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy, and the college principal, Dr Tasleem Hosein.

“It feels like my first day at college,” she said while delivering her speech. “It’s the same excitement and the same ambitions. I owe all my success to my parents and family who motivated me to stand defiant against all difficulties.”

Her eyes welled up and her voice became shaky as she went on to describe how her parents moved from Quetta to Karachi to provide a better living and education to her. Bidding farewell to her batch mates, she described the college as her second home. “Have faith,” she advised her classmates. “Each of us gets what we deserve. The only thing that makes a difference is the effort that we put in.”

KU acting vice-chancellor Dr Ghazala Rizwani also addressed the audience briefly. “You will find a great change in life from now onwards,” she said to the graduates. “Remember, there are no shortcuts to success. You need to face the forthcoming challenges with boldness and courage.”

As many as 181 distinctions were given to the 72 graduates in different subjects. Twenty students received gold medals while 13 trophies were awarded to the top three students in various disciplines. So far, the college that is affiliated with the KU has produced 1,192 dentists since its establishment in 1992.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.