SUKKUR: President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has advised students to acquire skills that are in high demand in international market and contribute to development of the country.

The president, accompanied by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, was talking to students during a visit to the Sukkur Institute of Business Administration (IBA) University on Monday.

Dr Alvi praised the IBA University and the tremendous progress it had made in the field of emerging technologies like block-chain, artificial intelligence and robotics. The university had become an icon of quality education and community services within a short span of time, he added.

He paid tribute to founding vice chancellor of the university late Prof Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui and said that he was truly amazed at the fact how one man could bring a positive change in society. Prof Siddiqui was a beacon of light and his sudden demise had left a huge void in the education sector of the country, he said.

The university’s vice chancellor Prof Dr Mir Mohammad Shah, who along with senior management received the president on his arrival at the university, expressed gratitude to the president and governor for visiting the university and appreciated the government’s efforts for promoting quality education in the country.

He said that initiatives like Ehsaas scholarship programme had empowered the underprivileged youth of Pakistan and helped them pursue their dreams of higher education without worrying about financial burden.

The president was given a brief presentation about recent initiatives of the university during the visit.

President offers condolence

President Dr Arif Alvi, accompanied by first lady Sameena Alvi and Sindh Governor Imran Islamil, later reached Jacobabad to offer condolence to Federal Minister for Privatisation Mohammad Mian Soomro over the death of his mother Begum Saeeda Ahmed Mian Soomro, who had remained Zila Nazima of Jacobabad.

Strict security arrangements were made around Ali Mohammad House, the Soomros’ residence, and along the roads in the city from where the president passed.

Among others who were present at Ali Mohammad House were Sakhi Abdul Razzak Khoso, Mir Asghar Khan Panhwar, Sardar Tariq Jawed Lahar, Sardarzada Moula Bux Soomro, Sardar Bashir Ahmed Katohar, Mehboob Ali Soomro, Mir Anwar Khan Soomro, Zahoor Ahmed Noonari and others.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2020