KARACHI: Around 800 students, who graduated in different programmes, were awarded degrees at the annual convocation of Iqra University on Sunday.

Officials said degrees for bachelors, masters, MPhil and PhD were awarded to students in media sciences, computer sciences, telecommunication engineering, electronics engineering, fashion and textile design, education and business administration.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail conferred the degrees on successful students.

Speaking at the programme, he said the world of higher education was getting more competitive and warranted to unwind new strategies.

“We should combine our existing strengths with the focused utilisation of new technologies for further enhancement in the learning experience of our students.”

Mr Ismail said education could reduce poverty and social injustice by providing resources and opportunities to the underprivileged for upward social mobility and social inclusion. “Education also increases access to social and economic opportunity, participation in political processes and promotes democratic practices of multiculturalism and pluralism — all essential ingredients in promoting human development.”

He said: “after the Quaid-i-Azam for the first time since its inception, Pakistan has got honest and visionary leadership in Imran Khan. I urge you all to work for the underprivileged people since they deserve to be served. We must educate them.” Adviser to the prime minister Iftikhar Durrani said he was an alumnus of Iqra University which was among the top educational institutions in the country.

Vice Chancellor of the varsity Prof Wasim Qazi said community service was an integral part of the university’s curricular activities.

“Our students and staff are cognisant of their social responsibility and are playing an active role in maintaining a clean and green ecosystem.”

He said the university was in process of launching its own Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) platform, which would help students acquire skills to improve their professional and personal capabilities.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018