SWABI: Real and durable change in the country could only be brought through imparting contemporary education to the young generation as without knowledge of modern sciences and advance technology progress is impossible.

This was the crux of the speeches delivered at the induction ceremony of 454 students in different disciplines of engineering at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here on Sunday.

Mohammad Shakil Durrani, former Wapda chairman and incumbent executive director of the Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology (Soprest) was the chief guest. Academia, students and their parents graced the ceremony.

On the occasion, Shakil Durrani stressed the need for commitment and determination among the youth to contribute to the country’s prosperity. “Hard work is a key to success as all the great men were hard workers who delivered to the people’s expectations,” he added.

“Once you have determined your strengths and fixed your goals, you will have to make untiring and ceaseless efforts to reach the destination,” he asked the students. “It sounds like a tall order but I must assure you that it is achievable. The doors of brilliant success and great achievements will be unlocked for you — persistent hard work is the key.”

To fresh students, he said: “Your voyage to excellence has just begun and I hope that you will chart a course which leads you to the discovery of new worlds — new worlds of knowledge, professional competence, progress, hope and happiness -- not only for yourself but also for your families, for your country and for mankind.”

Jehangir Bashar, GIK Institute Rector, said: “The arrival of each new batch raises new hopes, and inspires us to rededicate ourselves to the cause of enabling yet another generation to achieve academic and professional excellence, to serve the country. “We lay great emphasis on discipline and proper conduct,” he said.

Professor Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Pro-Rector (academic), said that the institute had produced professionals of high caliber. “So far 53 PhD, 275 MS and over 3,800 BS students have completed their education here,” he added.

Mr Bashar said that the role of science and engineering education was critical in economic development.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2014