LARKANA: The 17th convocation of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Larkana, was held here on Tuesday.

Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) vice chancellor Prof Dr Nusrat Shah was the chief guest at the programme, opened by SZABIST president Shahnaz Wazir Ali, who awarded degrees to a total of 127 students.

Three students Komal Soomro (BBA), Shahmeer Hassan (BSCS) and Bibi Zainab Khan (MBA) were awarded gold medals.

Silver medals were awarded to Mahnoor Jagirani (BBA), Simran Katiar (BSCS), and Soghat Jatoi and Gori Lohana (MBA).

Eighteen students’ names were placed on the ‘Chancellor’s Honor Roll’ for securing a cumulative grade point average, equal to or higher than 3.50.

Shahnaz Wazir Ali presented memento of appreciation to the chief guest and highlighted the growth and achievements of the Larkana SZABIST. She described the convocation as a landmark in the lives of fresh graduates and their parents.

Seven students awarded gold, silver medals; over 125 get degrees

She recalled that the Larkana SZABIST was established on Oct 28, 1995 and shifted to its new building in 2004. “Now it’s among the top institutions of higher education in upper Sindh,”she said, adding that over 800 students were currently enrolled at the institution and more than 1,200 had already graduated from it.

She appreciated the great contributions of Dr Altaf Mukati, the academic head of the SZABIST system. and Dr Zahida Abro, the head of the Larkana campus.

Chief guest Prof Dr Nusrat Shah called Larkana ‘a special and emotional place’. “We are proud of the land that has produced Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto whose priorities were education and health; and who fought for the downtrodden people,” she said. SZABIST was Benazir Bhutto’s gift for all, she added.

“This institution is producing skilled people which are badly needed for the world market,” she observed, and congratulated fresh graduates, their parents and faculty for their contributions and commitment. She said SMBBMU needed the services of IT experts and passing out graduates from SZABIST could help out in overcoming the shortage of computer science people.

Later, the successful students expressed their joy by tossing their caps into the air.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2023