KARACHI, Jan 4: In all, 8 gold medals and 20 merit certificates would be awarded to graduates of different disciplines for their distinctive academic performance at the 10th convocation of the NED University of Engineering and Technology, scheduled to be held on Jan 5.

Sources in the campus said six of the gold medals allocated for the first position-holders of different bachelor degree programmes would be awarded on behalf of the university, while other two gold medals, named after two personalities, had been arranged through endowments. Prof Dr. A. T. Khan memorial gold medal would be awarded to candidate securing first class first position in civil engineering examinations, while Wakilunnisa memorial gold medal would be given to candidate securing first class first position in Computer Science and Information Technology examinations.

University would be awarding a gold medal for the first time to the position holder of Bachelor of Architecture exam this year. The second and third position holders of different engineering programmes would be given merit certificates.

It was further learnt that the first position holder of the Textile Engineering (1996-97 batch), Faisal Azeem, would be given an amount of Rs 5000, in addition to the gold medal and merit certificate, as he secured first position in his four annual examinations consecutively.

About 310 candidates having passed Bachelor of Engineering Examinations of 1996-97 batch and MSc Examination of 1999-2000, 1997-98, 1996-97, 1995-96 batches are likely to receive their respective degrees in person during the convocation, while another 413 candidates would be conferred degrees in absentia, added the source.

The Sindh governor Mohammadmian Soomro would preside over the convocation, while minister of state and chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, Tariq Ikram, would deliver the convocation address, said the convocation organisers.