ISLAMABAD, March 18: Women as an influential segment of the society can contribute to socio-economic development by acquiring modern and research-oriented knowledge in various disciplines. This was stated by Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, in his address at the 35th convocation and prize distribution ceremony of the Federal Government College for Women, F-7/2, here on Saturday.

The institution, the oldest in Islamabad, proudly boasted of its glorious tradition of academic distinctions at board, degree and postgraduate levels as the convocation degrees were conferred on 457 graduates and 110 postgraduates.

The talented students of the college who secured prominent positions at intermediate, degree and postgraduate levels in the academic years 2003, 2004 and 2005 were Uzma Shafique who secured overall 1st position among boys and girls in MSc Applied Psychology.

Naveera Kunwar stood 2nd among boys and girls in MA English examination of the Punjab University. Saima Javed, 3rd position in Bachelor of Science Home Economics examination of the Punjab University.

At HSSC level of the Federal Board, the college’s girls secured the three top positions in the Humanities Group. They are Sundas Sharif who secured 1st position among boys and girls, Hasina Khan stood 2nd and another Ms Sundas attained the 3rd position.

In the Pre-Engineering group, Farwa Ahmad secured 2nd position.

A former student of the college now associated with a leading cancer research institute in the USA, Azra Raza, has initiated an annual scholarship of Rs50,000 for a BSc student securing highest marks in Biological Sciences.

Students were also awarded prizes for excelling in co- curricular activities. For the session of 2002-2004, students secured 12 consolation prizes, 29 third prizes, 33 second prizes, 49 first prizes and 10 trophies for their outstanding performances.

“Women can be the driving force in this age of science and technology, research and communication. Students must equip themselves with modern education to take up challenges of the present world with a clear objective of serving the nation and humanity,” said Mr Soomro.

Research-based knowledge was the essence of prosperity and the government was creating opportunities for the women to excel in various disciplines through quality education.

He also appreciated the efforts of the college faculty in arranging wide range of activities which helped in confidence building and proper growth of young minds.

APP adds: He underlined the importance of academic achievements blended with higher moral values, commitment and above board dealings in their lives.

He advised the students to enter their professional lives not only armed with the knowledge gained during their stay in the institute but also to keep their minds open to new ideas and challenges.

“We are looking up to you to shoulder this responsibility and lead us with grace, nobility and confidence” Mr Soomro added.

Mr Soomro hailed the efforts of faculty members and hoped that they would help in preventing the disintegration of values, attitudes and traditions while blending these with progressive ideas, thus giving an intellectual bearing to the thought of the younger generation.

Earlier, the principal of the college, Dr Tayyaba Siddiqui, briefed the participants about the performance of the college.

Established in 1967 as an intermediate college with 150 students and 15 lecturers, the college in a span of over a quarter of a century has grown in stature and dimension with the never-ceasing dedication, devotion and perseverance of able, hard-working and experienced staff, she said.

Equipped with adequate physical facilities, it is imparting quality education to more than 3,600 students in heterogeneous disciplines.

Dr Tayyaba said that almost 100 positions at board, university and postgraduate levels had been secured by the students of the college since its inception.