MARDAN, May 3: A total of 220 students were awarded degrees and 13 received gold medals for their outstanding performance in various subjects on Tuesday at the first convocation of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, (AWKUM) since its inception in 2009.

Chancellor of the university Governor Masood Kausar, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away degrees and medals to the students.

The AWKUM vice chancellor, Prof Ihsan Ali, MNAs, MPAs, syndicate members, professors, civil society members, parents of students and elites of the area attended the ceremony.

The students received their master’s degrees in the subjects, including Education, Physical Education, Public Health, Arabic, Theology, Political Science and Economics besides Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Physical Education. Sadia Naz was awarded gold medal for being adjudged the best student while other students who were given gold medals in different subjects included Mohammad Hafeez, Rahila Khan, Zubair Shah and Zaheera Shehla.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor congratulated the students on completion of their education and praised Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti and the VC for establishing the university in a record time of seven months.

Mr Kausar said that he was impressed by knowing that the university had five campuses, 64 affiliated public and private colleges, 18 disciplines and highly qualified teaching staff besides over 8,000 students benefiting from the facilities at the university during the past two years.

He hoped that the graduating students would use all their energies for progress and development of the country. He said that the availability of chances of higher education would have positive impact on the lasting stability in the region.

Earlier, Prof Ihsan Ali welcomed the governor and participants of the convocation and briefed them about the performance of the university.