KARACHI, April 8: As many as 803 degrees of masters and honours in Business Administration, Commerce, Arts and Science were conferred to graduates of 2005 at the Sixth Convocation of Jinnah University for Women (JUW) on Saturday. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, the patron of university, was chief guest, who handed over 30 shields and 13 gold medals to outstanding graduates.

He also announced cash prize of Rs 20,000 each for every gold medallist as a token of appreciation to talented students.

The University also conferred a degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) on Late Moulvi Riazuddin Ahmad, the founder of JUW as well, in recognition of his distinguished services in the cause of education, particularly in higher education of women. The degree was received by a son of Moulvi Sahib. The citation said that Moulvi Sahib was Sir Syed-i-Sani, who faced a lot of difficulties in the implementation of his educational programmes and he ran from pillar to post to fulfil his dreams. The upgradation of Jinnah Postgraduate College as Jinnah University for Women was due to his efforts and profound determination.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ibad said that university education was a gift to young women.

“Your are indeed fortunate and I believe that you have to set your own directions and goals”, he said while speaking to women graduates.

Earlier, chancellor of JUW, Prof Noor-us-saba Chughtai said that the JUW was the first women university established to minimize the gender gap in the field of higher education. She thanked the governor for his support to the university and lauded him for his affection to the cause of higher education.

Vice-chancellor Dr Riaz Ahmad Hashmi also spoke.

Those who received gold medals for securing first position in their respective final examinations are: Bazgha Sultana, Lubna Omer, Nudrat Bushra, Hajra Bibi, Bushra Irfan, Arfeen Imam, Fariha Aleem, Rabia Mushtaq, Nayyar Sultana, Shazia Shahzad, Uzma Saeed, Nousheen Akram and Sobia Ahsan Halim.