Governor Sindh, Muhammad Zubair, has said that promotion of higher education can change the destiny of the nations. Speaking as chief guest at the Aga Khan University's 2017 convocation here on Sunday, he extended his personal congratulations to the 360-strong graduating class. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, was also present on the occasion.
Zubair also praised parents and faculty for their contribution in the graduates' achievements, calling them `great players' in building the character and future prospects of today's students. He was of the view that a faster development can be achieved with academic advancement, moulding the syllabus in accordance with the national requirements and present day needs.
The Governor also lauded the role of the private sector for the promotion of education in the province. He particularly mentioned the contributions of the Aga Khan University in this regard. Zubair said that higher education provides solution to all of our problems and that the promotion of education is the top priority of the government. He further stated that fostering research at the university level was the need of the hour.
The Governor said that the government was also according priority to the health sector to help address the needs of the people in this very sphere. He asked the graduating students to devote themselves to help meet the health needs of the people.
In his welcome address, AKU President Firoz Rasul recognised the determination, passion and talent of the students as he urged them to remember the importance of innovation in overcoming tomorrow's challenges.
He highlighted how an innovative mindset required a willingness to explore new perspectives and to engage with others to find alternate ways to solve problems. The convocation was an especially memorable day for MBBS student Atiya Hameedullah as she joined her father in becoming alumni from the University. Atiya's father, Dr Hameed Ullah completed his residency in anaesthesiology from AKU in 1996.
Another proud parent, Kashif Malik, a gastroenterologist at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, was delighted to see his daughter, Ramsha Kashif, an MBBS graduate, following his footsteps by becoming a doctor. A delighted Ramsha said, `My father has made such a tremendous effort to support me through these five wonderful years at AKU. His dedication to patients was my key inspiration to begin this journey and I really hope that one day I am able to give this profession the same level of commitment that he does.' Convocation 2017 saw the School of Nursing and Midwifery graduate 129 nurses, 118 with undergraduate and 11 with graduate degrees. The Medical College awarded 40 master's and 91 bachelor's degrees, as well as 3 advanced diplomas and 11 diplomas in dental hygiene.
AKU also awarded 37 masters degrees in education and 12 Master of Arts in Muslim Cultures. The Medical Colleges 2017 Best Graduate Award was presented to Dr Mujtaba Mubashir who achieved the highest aggregate score in the certifying examinations through the five-year programme leading to the MBBS degree.
Dr Mubashir also received the Medical College's Gold Medal, only the 9th to be awarded to a student who achieves the top scores in at least three of the four certifying examinations, including the final examination. Amyna Ismail received the 2017 Best Graduate Award from the School of Nursing and Midwifery. This award is presented to the student who achieves the highest CGPA among the graduating classes in the BScN and Post-RN BScN programmes and who is also selected for the Nursing Practice Award. The Nursing Practice Award is given to the graduating student whose clinical and community practice reflects a client-centred approach, distinctive critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and ethical decision making.
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