SWABI: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Wednesday underscored the crucial role of educated youth in overcoming Pakistan’s economic challenges.

He stated this in his keynote address at the convocation of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here.

At the convocation, Sanjrani was joined by a diverse assembly, including international ambassadors, parliamentarians, federal and provincial officials, academia, parents, politicians, and the graduating students from 11 disciplines of engineering and management sciences.

The convocation celebrated the accomplishments of 501 graduates, including 11 PhD scholars, 60 master’s and 430 bachelor’s degree holders.

Over 500 students including 11 PhD scholars get degrees at GIKI convocation

Mr Sanjrani emphasised the indispensable role of higher education for Pakistan’s future, urging institutions to prioritise result-oriented research and innovation.

He stated, “We must foster a culture of research and innovation to stand on our own feet and achieve desired outcomes. Technology and knowledge are global public goods that can catalyse positive change and contribute to humanity’s greater good. This is the investment the GIK Institute has made in you.”

Mr Sanjrani presented the idea of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Senate and the GIK Institute, under which foreign dignitaries visiting Pakistan would also tour the institute to witness its state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, he mentioned a prospective collaboration between the GIK Institute and the Qatar Education Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Eng Salim Saifullah Khan, President of Society for Promotion of Engineers Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST), the GIK Institute’s parent body, paid rich tribute to the founder of the institute, former president late Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid, rector GIK Institute, said, “This year, we celebrate 30 years of excellence, producing nearly 7,000 graduates.”

Those who completed their doctorate included Samiullah, Akhtar Badshah, Ahsan Nadeem, Mujtaba Ghous, Mohammad Zaheer Saleem, Shamsul Arifeen, Sadaf Shaheen, Sabiha Qazi, Shabeela Malik, Salman Ahmad Khan, and Tauheed Shehbaz.

The event concluded with the award of academic distinctions, including the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Gold Medal for Best Academic Performance in all undergraduate programmes to Ahmad Hassan, and the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Medal for best overall performance in all undergraduate programmes to Musa Hayat. Faculty-based gold medals were also awarded to 11 students from different disciplines.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023