PESHAWAR: A rather awkward situation arose at the University of Peshawar’s convocation when a graduate refused to receive degree from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and passed by shouting ‘go Nawaz go’.

While the governor, who is also the chancellor of the government universities in the province, remained unmoved, some students clapped as they heard the slogan.

The ceremony continued undisturbed afterwards.

Asfandyar, a bearded young graduate of the Computer Science department, in a civilised manner, first requested Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Rasul Jan to award him the degree instead of the chancellor.

However, when he was asked to receive it from the chancellor, he declined and walked away by shouting ‘go Nawaz go’.

Refuses to receive degree from governor and walks away

Up to 460 graduates were given degrees at the convocation held for the graduates of academic session 2012.

Among them were 17 PhD, six MPhil and 437 master’s degree holders.

Besides, 33 gold medals were also given away to as many students for grabbing top positions in their respective departments on the occasion.

Another interesting aspect of the event was that the total graduates included 317 female and 143 male students.

The gold medalist included Sarfraz Khan of MA Anthropology, Saima Saif of MA Arabic, Ataullah of MA Pashto, Zahirullah MA Urdu, Saira Shaoukat MSc Botany, Saadia Swaleh MSc Geography, Nasseha Bibi, MSc Zoology, Bushra Waheed Pharm D, Syed Mohammad Aqib MA Journalism, Sundas Anwar MBA, Kashif Jamil MCom, Atif Iqbal MPA, Mewaish Naz MLIS, Izaz MSc Computer Science, Sumaira Saleem Akhtar MSc Mathematics, Neelam Gul Msc Physics, Mohsin Kamal MSc Statistics, Umamma Sadaf MA Economics, Sonia Inam MA International Relations, Uzma Mukarram MA Political Science, Roya MSc Psychology, Nida Ajmal MA Social Work, Abdul Majid Khan MA Sociology, Haseena Nasim MEd and Ubaidullah Khan MA Gender Studies.

Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan highlighted the importance of the role of education in the socio-economic development of societies.

He said it was a well-acknowledged fact.

The governor said the weak financial situation always led to compromises and that steps were needed to be taken to correct the system and make the institution financially sound and self-sustainable.

“We all are encouraged to learn about the initiatives taken by the University’s administration; the goals achieved and the spirit with which the University team is serving this alma mater. I wish this institution should always be a real launching pad for learning, research initiatives and development,” the governor said.

Pointing towards graduating students, the governor said it was the beginning of a new phase in their lives, which indeed would be highly thrilling but rewarding too.

“Always try to be honest to your profession; loyal to your institution and ready to confront any challenge which you come across”, the governor advised the graduates.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Professor Jan congratulated students and their parents on one of the biggest achievements of their life.

He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not get benefit from its geographical location unless youths were skilled and highly qualified to explore and make use of the potential of the region.

The vice chancellor said the region had enormous potential, which needed to be tapped.

Professor Rasul Jan said the university with 49 department, institutes and constituent institutions and 628 faculties including 249 PhD scholars had moved from intense research studies to imparting knowledge in true sense.

He said new departments including one of Peace and Conflict Studies had also been established.

The ceremony was attended by vice chancellors of government universities from across the province and other prominent educationists and parents of the graduating students.

Earlier, the governor gave away degrees to graduates.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014