HYDERABAD, Dec 22: The University of Sindh's third convocation of the millennium was held on Wednesday at the Madr-i-Millat Fatima Jinnah Gymnasium, llama I. I. Kazi campus, Jamshoro.

Around 350 candidates received degrees and 61 of them were awarded the chancellor and vice-chancellor medals. Fourteen candidates received Ph.D degrees and seven M.Phil degrees.

Speaking as chief guest, eminent scholar and educationist of Pakistan, Professor (Dr) N. A. Baloch, urged the universities to produce more graduates not only in natural sciences but also in social sciences and humanities for development of society.

He said that their society was under serious stress due to the impact of modern development and there was an obvious imbalance in planning for economic and social development.

He said that economic development remained their main concern which was reflected in national policies in all sectors, including education. Dr Baloch said that study of science and technical subjects had received a major emphasis in the curriculum at secondary and higher levels.

He said that ever increasing demand for science graduates and skilled workers had motivated students to take more interest in science and technical subjects as a result science institutions had become overcrowded while admissions to humanities and social sciences had considerably decreased.

He said that it was time to recognize that fruits of science and technology could not be fully enjoyed by society in which human relations were not in order.

Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui said that the University of Sindh had submitted a ten-year development plan to the Higher Education Commission. The Sindh governor was to preside over the convocation but he could not make it.