KARACHI: Over 500 students were conferred degrees at the fourth convocation of the Sindh Madressatul Islam University’s (SMIU) held on Wednesday at a private facility.

Girl students clinched eight out of nine gold medals whereas an equal number of boys and girls received silver medals.

The recipients of gold medals are: Moomal Baig, Usama, Iqra Abbas, Hadiqa Malik (all four students of the department of business administration), Fatima Rais (computer science department), Sania Iftikhar (department of media studies), Maira (department of environmental sciences) and Hira Naz (department of education).

The students receiving silver medals are: Wardah Abdul Khalique, Wajiha Islam, Aiman Khalil, Bilal Anwar, Ayesha Kalhoro, Zain-ul-Abdeen, Mohammad Annas, Rafia Qadir, Indila Mazhar, Abdul Bari, Zohaib Muhabat Ali, Sumair Abdullah, Atiqa Iqbal and Nimra Naz.

Girls clinch eight out of nine gold medals

Congratulating students at the ceremony, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, also the university chancellor, urged the graduates to continue their hard work as absolute sincerity and dedication could help them achieve anything in life.

“You are now alumni of a historic institution, the alma mater of the founder of Pakistan. It’s your duty now to use the knowledge and skill you have acquired here on the campus for society’s betterment,” he said.

Appreciating the fact that girl students have outperformed boys, he urged girls not to let their talent and struggle go to waste. “These girls are an asset to this country. But, unfortunately, most of them after completing their graduation wouldn’t be allowed by their parents to pursue a professional career. I urge parents to help their daughters play a productive role in the country’s development.”

Highlighting university’s progress over the decades, SMIU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon said the institution carried a legacy of 137 years with the credit of producing visionary leadership, educationists, talented sportsmen and literary and political icons.

Minister for Universities and Boards Mohammad Ismail Rahoo, also the pro-chancellor of the SMIU, also spoke.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2021