KARACHI: Shahrukh Asif, Mohammad Hamza, Yousuf and another friend stood outside their graduation venue at the Hamdard University fixing each other’s maroon convocation robes.

“We are all very excited to be here,” said Mr Asif who had completed his BE in telecommunication, adding that all their hard work had paid off as their group of friends was already employed.

These four friends were among 1,166 other undergraduate and postgraduate students present on the Madinat-al-Hikmah campus of the varsity with their family and friends on Saturday. This was the university’s 20th convocation ceremony.

Around seven PhD and 21 MPhil students were awarded their degrees by university chancellor Sadia Rashid and chief guest Dr Atta-ur-Rahman.

The graduates were asked to bow their heads to Ms Rashid, daughter of Hakim Said ,and Dr Rahman, while receiving their degrees.

Deans of different faculties, including Mohammad Javed, dean of health and medical sciences, and Prof Hameedur Rehman from humanities were asked to share a few words with the audience before introducing their students.

Students graduated in seven disciplines offered at the university: engineering, pharmacy, Eastern medicine, social sciences and humanities, medical sciences, legal studies and law, and management sciences.

Mariam Kareem, who completed her Bachelor’s in Eastern Medicine was walking to the venue with her parents. Her mother held her maroon convocation robes proudly and said that she was glad to watch her daughter receive her degree.

Ms Kareem came second in her batch and received a gold medal. “I feel good being here. I started my degree at this university with a lot of enthusiasm,” she said while talking to Dawn. “Every day was memorable. The faculty and staff are extremely dedicated to teaching.”

Her father said that he was very proud of his daughter and was glad to attend her graduation to see the fruit of her hard work and patience.

Sarwat who earned her Pharm D degree said she was really excited to graduate. “When the course started I felt like it would be too long but it went by in minutes,” she said. “I have made many friends and good memories at the university.”

Naval officer Lt Shamsher Khan said he couldn’t be prouder of his daughter Saira who had completed her Pharm D from the university.

“The environment at the university was great. I am going to miss it,” said Saira, adding that everyone from the faculty, staff and students was cooperative.

Zahid Hussain, a computer science graduate, said that he had a good time at the university and had already secured a job.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2016