LAHORE: As many as 2,044 students were awarded degrees on the first day of the 18th convocation of the Government College University (GCU) on Tuesday.

Out of the total 2,044 students, 68 received PhD, 644 MS/M.Phil, 344 MA/MSc degrees, while 988 others were awarded BA/BSc (Hons) degrees on the first day of the two-day event.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar was the chief guest of the ceremony held at the Bokhari Auditorium. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi awarded the degrees and medals to PhD scholars and position holders.

The governor, while addressing the ceremony, announced to set up Chancellor’s Fund for providing scholarships to the deserving students.

Honorary PhD degree conferred upon British MP Afzal Khan

He said as the government had appointed vice chancellors in different universities on merit so it was expected from the VC to uphold the merit in their respective institutions.

Addressing the graduates, he said they had crossed an important milestone of their lives and added: “It is up to you (graduates) now to discover your exact potential and transform the world around you in accordance with the ideals you have acquired during your studies.”

He said the girls had out shined the boys in all fields of life and now 80 percent of academic medals in universities were being won by them (girls).

Prof Zaidi said diversity, curiosity and creativity were essential to human growth but unfortunately these elements were being suppressed by the culture of education that was prevalent in our country. He regretted that a culture of standardisation in the education system didn’t encourage diversity, rather it laid a great stress on conformity.

He said the students could learn and excel through a broad-based curriculum that celebrated their various talents.

GCU Registrar Dr Shuakat Ali presented a dissertation to the chancellor for awarding honorary PhD degree to Afzal Khan, a Member of British Parliament, in recognition of his remarkable contribution for the promotion of political, diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

Earlier, the governor and the vice chancellor presented Prof G D Sondhi Medal for overall excellent performance to Rabia Javeed, Mohammad Idrees Medal for the best debater to Muhammad Abdullah Mohsin, Daud Ilyas Medal for outstanding intermediate student to Muhammad Abdullah Hamid, Dr Saida Karamat Medal for the best woman graduate to Shehr Bano, Waleed Iqbal Medal for the best English parliamentary speaker to Harris Ali Virk, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Medal for the best Urdu speaker to Amna Ghafoor and Madeeha Gohar Medal for the best female actor to Seemab Shafiq while Thespian Medal for excellent performance in dramatics was conferred upon Muhammad Affaq Imran and Hafiz Muhammad Najamul Saqib.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2020