RAWALPINDI, Dec 3: The Punjab Governor Salman Taseer on Wednesday said educated younger generation and especially the women are an emblem of change countering the outdated social conventions and prevalent extremism in the country.

He was speaking at the ceremony of the eighth convocation of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) at Convention Center in Islamabad.

The Governor who is also chancellor of the university urged the graduates to strive for social development and for the uplift of underprivileged women of the country.

Endorsing the role of FJWU in social development, the Governor assured full support for the establishment of a new university campus at Chakri Road, Rawalpindi and for initiation of school of culture heritage, art, architecture and jewelry design education at historic Soojan Singh Haveli in the oldest area of the city.

Salman Taseer gave way medals to the position holders and distributed the degrees among the 836 successful students.

In the masters’ programmes 638 students of behavioral studies, defence diplomatic studies, economics, education, communication sciences, computer sciences, business administration, environmental studies, English, gender studies, fine arts, Islamic studies and public administration were awarded degrees.

At undergraduate level, 198 students of economics, education, English, environmental sciences, fine arts, bachelors of computer arts and software engineering were awarded degrees.

The governor awarded 28 gold medals and 27 silver medals to various students, who achieved top positions in their respective departments to acknowledge their outstanding performance.

The outstanding students are Sadia Sohail of behavioral sciences, Syeda Sidra Qammar of MBA, Mehreena Aziz and Amina Sifwat of communication sciences, Asma Shaheen and Madiha Wahid of computer sciences, Saima Amna Khan Sial of DDS, Naila Afzal of economics, Zohra Batool of education, Aalia Asghar of English, Huma Yasin of environmental sciences, Tabinda Bari and Sumaira Tasneem of fine arts, Humaira Zulfiqar of gender studies, Nazia Ahmad of Islamic Studies, Misbah Shaukat of MPA at masters level, and Amina Salimi and Aisha Zafar of economics, Asma Zafar and Sadia Malik of environmental sciences, Sania Sheikh and Moneeba Mazhar of BFA, Saman Nazir and Sahar Riaz of BCA, Nadia Nazeer of Education, Sobia Mansoor of English and Sobia Khalid of BSE at undergraduate level received Gold Medals.

Some private business establishments also announced gold medals and cash prizes for the top students in the fields of business administration, economics and computer sciences.

In her address of welcome the Vice Chancellor FJEU Dr Saeeda Asadullah Khan expressed satisfaction over the achievements of the students and said the university had stepped into the second decade of its beginning that would open up new opportunity for the talented young female students.

Dr Saeeda Shah, Associate Professor School of Education University of Leicester, UK was the keynote speaker. She said that universities could play major role in producing new historical knowledge. The Muslim world is rich with examples about contributions made by women in the advancement of humanity and the FJWU was a good addition for women to sow their talent.