ATTENDING university convocation is an unforgettable event for any dedicated student, because it is a day when one’s hard work gets acknowledged, and those pleasant memories stay forever in one’s life. This is not the case with the bright students of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari (BBSUL).

The second convocation of the university was held on April 21. For an institution that boasts of ‘state-of-the-art’ facilities and education standard, it was an event marred by poor management. It was a matter of sheer disappointment for the students.

Hearing about the convocation, many of the students who have since taken

up employment in other countries made special arrangements to attend what they thought would be a dream day. Their plan was completely ruined by the adminis-tration, which played hide and seek, and kept changing the convocation date and venue. Quite a few students had to cancel their leaves and return to their jobs without attending the convocation.

When finally the convocation was held, it was nothing but a disappointment for the graduating students. In fact, it was an embarrassment. The university’s administration handed an A4 size ‘paper’ citing their credentials. Is this how institutions award a degree? Are they even allowed to do such a thing by the HIgher Education Commission (HEC) or any other authority?

The event itself was marred by serious mismanagement. There was nothing in the name of arrangement for ensuring a stable temperature at the venue, refreshments were a mere formality, and there was no dedicated space for turning the so-called ‘unforgettable moments’ into sweet memories, for there was no place for taking photographs.

To make matters worse, the provincial governor, who was supposed to be the chief guest on the occasion, cancelled the appointment at the eleventh hour. Last but not least, meritorious students who were waiting to make their parents proud by receiving the gold medals in front of them were simply told that the university did not have enough budget to award the medals.

As part of BBSUL alumni, I simply want to thank the university for humiliating us in front of our families. I wonder why our talented youth would want to stay in the country when we have such indifference prevailing at our ‘respected’ universities.

Abdul Khalique Soomro
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2024