KARACHI: Hamdard University awarded 1,447 degrees at its 22nd convocation held at Madinat al Hikmah here on Saturday.

Among the graduates were 25 gold medalists, including winners of seven Hakim Mohammad Said gold medals and 13 Institute of Engineering gold medals. The degree of Doctor of Medical Science (honoris causa) was also conferred on renowned kidney specialist Dr S. Adibul Hasan Rizvi.

Speaking to the fresh graduates, Sadia Rashid, chancellor, Hamdard University, said she was aware of how special the day was for them. “It is also a special day for your parents and teachers and all of us at Hamdard,” she said. “But now comes your real test. As you go out in the real world and make your life better, you should make the lives of others better,” she said.

She narrated how Hamdard was started from a humble initiation which had now become a big organisation of manufacturers of herbal medicines and philanthropic activities.

Adding to that Dr Amjad Saqib, founder-chairman of Akhuwat, and the chief guest on the occasion, said that life was meant for dreams and those who dreamed succeed in doing something extraordinary. “Everyone tries to relish their dreams but the commendable thing would be to also look at the dreams of others and help them achieve them,” he said.

Congratulating the graduates, he said that they were lucky to have received higher education from a great educational institution such as Hamdard University. “You are entering the practical field now. You should strive for leadership in whatever you do. But remember that leadership demands passion, sacrifice and uniqueness of vision like the founder of your university,” he said.

Sharing his own vision that materialised in Akhuwat, he said he started helping families with an initial donation of Rs10,000. “But now the donations have increased to Rs2.5 million.”

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2018