HYDERABAD, Feb 24: As many as 127 graduates and postgraduates were conferred degrees at the fourth convocation of the Isra University Hyderabad here on Saturday.

Three outstanding candidates were awarded gold medals and six silver medals. Nida Anwar Memon, Shumaila Patoli and Mohammad Hussain Shah Syed were awarded both the medals.

S. M. Qureshi, chairman, Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee, government of Sindh, presided over the convocation. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad was scheduled to preside over it but he could not make it due to his pre-occupations.

In his presidential address, Mr Qureshi congratulated the graduates on achieving an important milestone in their life and said: "Life is short and you have a lot to do". He said all journeys in life started with the first step. "Keep correcting the direction of your steps as you march towards your destination", he advised the outgoing students.

Mr Qureshi expressed the hope that the outgoing students would uphold the prestige of their alma mater.

He was happy to know that the Isra University had been rated by the Highewr Education Commission as the best private sector university in Pakistan.

He appreciated the efforts put in by the university in a short period of 10 years to attain recognition from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan and the inclusion of its faculty of medicines and applied medical sciences in the World Directory of Medical Schools recognised by the WHO and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research.

In his welcome address, the chancellor of the university and president of the Isra Islamic Foundation, Professor Dr Ghulamqadir Kazi, said that the foundation, which ran the university, was a non-profitable organisation that wanted to serve mankind through education, healthcare and social welfare.

He said that as there was dearth of properly trained manpower in education and health sectors of the country, the university was making all out efforts to develop manpower in both sectors.

Recounting multifaceted service of the foundation, Professor Kazi said that it also ran the Isra University Hospital, a chain of Al-Ibrahim eye hospitals in Malir (Karachi), Kunri and Kharan, Isra schools and Isra Quran Academy and international blindness prevention programme in 38 developing countries of Asia and Africa.

He explained at length the working of the university’s welfare hospital and said that its board of governors had approved a plan of scholarships in medical education.

The vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Dr Asadullah Qazi, gave details about the working of the university and its progress over the years. He said that the university currently offered more than 15 degree programmes which would be increased with the passage of time.

He said that 95 percent of Isra university graduates succeeded in acquiring employment immediately after graduation or within a couple of months after it.