NAWABSHAH, Dec 18: Pakistan has great resources and opportunities, large and hard working human resource and a proud culture and heritage. This was stated by the Governor of Sindh and the Chancellor of Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST) Nawabshah, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, while addressing the 3rd convocation of QUEST here on Monday.

He further said that engineers, technologists and scientists were the backbone of any country and no progress could be achieved without their concerted efforts and hard labour.

He emphasized on proper training of manpower and said that only nations with trained manpower would survive.

He said that Pakistan was facing problems like controlling the growth rate of population, declining water resources needed for irrigation and other needs, alleviating poverty and literacy, increasing demands of energy resources and maintaining harmony among the masses.

He said that young graduating professional of universities had an important spectrum of task to perform to overcome the challenges and to contribute to the welfare of the human beings.

He appreciated the efforts of administration and teaching staff of QUEST for improving quality of education and achieving tangible results.

The governor urged the parents to bring their girls into the field of engineering to overcome disproportionate gender balance so they may contribute their energies for the development of nation.

Quest Vice-Chancellor Prof A.A.Junejo informed that the number of students in undergraduate courses had more than doubled and the yearly intake of university was 637 students in all categories.

Mr Junejo further said that the number of departments and disciplines also increased from three to nine and the university was now offering bachelors degree in six disciplines of engineering, one discipline of technology and two branches of pure sciences.

He said that the university was strictly following the rules and regulations of Higher Education Commission and term back policy was also implemented.

Besides the university was awarding first postgraduate degree in the present convocation which was MPhil degree.

He further informed that many of QUEST development projects including a mega project at a cost of Rs440 million were also approved.

He lauded the efforts and support of chairman HEC and PEC in the assistance and resolving some difficult issues.

The governor distributed six gold medals, 15 silver medals and 33 merit certificates among top students. Sanjay Kumar, Amir Khan, Mohammad Suleman, Qamar Shahzad, Rizwan Mehmood, Ishtiaque Ali, Mukhtiar Ali, Naseer Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Riaz Hussain, Hamid Mehmood, Ashiq Ali, Zubairuddin, Mohammad Kamran and Sarfaraz Hyder received gold and silver medals.

Earlier degrees were conferred on 370 graduates of different disciplines of engineering and technology by the vice chancellor.