KARACHI, Nov 11: As many as 493 graduates were conferred degrees in computer science, management information system and business administration at the convocation of Institute of Business Administration on Saturday.

Six women were declared as the best students, who also received gold medals and certificates from the patron of the institute, Dr Ishratul Ibad.

Students, parents, teachers, government officials, noted entrepreneurs and industrialists as well as members of judiciaries attended the convocation, which also witnessed Abdul Sattar Edhi as the recipient of an honorary degree for his social services.

In his presidential speech, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said that the government aimed at enhancing funding to raise literacy level, remove urban, rural and gender imbalance, improve education quality and strengthen higher education facilities.

While mentioning that quality of a higher education institution was mostly defined by its human resources, its values and culture, the governor said that the quality of education and its relevance to the needs of the society were keys to the national development.

About the performance and services of IBA, he complimented all those who had worked hard to build the institution and add professional reputation to it. “I share the values embedded in the IBA system which is based on merit, truth, diligence, tolerance and humility,” he added, saying that he would continue supporting the IBA in maintaining its high standards and values in the future as well.

Addressing the graduates, Ishratul Ibad said that they stood today at a new threshold in their life and as such he would urge them to remain committed to the values espoused by their alma mater.

Those who received gold medals and certificates at the convocation are as follows:

Over all best graduates; Aaizah Syed of MBA-MIS class (2005) and Sobia M. Din of MBA (Direct) class (2006).

Overall Marketing Gold; Palwashah Afridi of MBA through BBA class (2005) and Ayesha Zaidi of MBA Direct (2006).

Overall Finance Gold; Sana Masood of MBA through BBA (2005) and Mehwish Haider of MBA Direct (2006).

The position holders of different classes awarded with shields and certificates are: Sobia M. Din, Mehwish Haider, Sara Ahson Qazi, Mubashra Khalid, Zainab Azfar Jafry, Jaweria Hasan, Farah Siddiqui, Nimerta Sirichand, Ayesha Irfan, Mehreen Abbasi, Aaizah Syed, Musharraf Ali, Nadia Shafi, Rabeea Mirza, Auniya Fatima Lalan, Atoofah Rehan, Azfar Shah, Ayesha Akhund, Madiha Anwer, Amer Idris, Sumaira Siddiqui and Ehtisham Anwer.