LAHORE: Eminent rights activist and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir advised graduates of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums) to work together to build institutions that will promote sustainable change in society.

“Don’t do things in isolation. Collect people for a greater impact and learn from diverse ideas,” she said in her keynote speech at the 27th convocation of Lums on Wednesday.

A total of 869 students of the graduating class of 2015 from all schools -- Suleman Dawood School of Business, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering and Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law -- were given degrees, while outstanding students were given awards and medals.

Asma congratulated the graduates.

“It is rewarding to engage with the youth of Pakistan, especially the finest minds -- the Lums graduates. You are graduating from one of the most prestigious institutions of the region and you can change the world if you work in groups,” she said while stressing the importance of human rights and tolerance.

“We should live in a state free of fear and discrimination. There should be no restriction on freedom of thought, speech or religion,” she said while advising the graduates, especially women, “never let anyone indignify or humiliate you. Stand up for yourself and for other individuals”.

Earlier, Lums Vice Chancellor Dr Syed Sohail Naqvi in his welcome address congratulated the graduating class and appreciated the “arduous journey that had brought them here and the grit, determination and passion that allowed them to triumph over all adversity”.

Dr Naqvi also shared with the audience achievements of the students and faculty of the four Lums schools. He concluded by urging the graduates to “make a difference”.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2015

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