Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday said the nation desperately needs scholars and professionals to establish country's identity and competence in the world.
He stated this while speaking as the chief guest at the degree awarding ceremony of Hamdard University at a local hotel here.
Soomro said: "To be able to compete with intellectuals and professionals in the global community, we need brilliant qualities and skills to appreciably enhance our prestige and dignity."
He said without internationalising the values of innovation and creativity, it was hard to survive in this competitive world, where knowledge was accelerating at geometrical pace.
To the students, he said, though it was time of rejoice for them as their efforts had borne fruit in form of degrees, however, it was also a day of resolve and commitment.
Soomro said great responsibility lies on the outgoing graduates while entering any sphere of life or profession, so as to demonstrate intellectual acumen and the qualities of humility, compassion and tolerance.
The Senate chairman said under the dynamic leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, a comprehensive policy of higher education had been formulated to accelerate higher education and ensure its quality output.
It is heartening that at least 5 percent of the age between 17 and 23 would be receiving higher education during the next five years, which is a sagacious step, he added.
Earlier, Hamdard University Vice Chancellor Mohammad Iqbal Qureshi, in his address of welcome, said the institution was committed to preparing country's youth for the challenges of tomorrow.