KARACHI, Nov 24: As many as 168 students, including naval officers and civilians, on Thursday were awarded engineering degrees by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila at the 23rd convocation of Pakistan Navy Engineering College. In addition to 85 Pakistan Navy officers, 77 civilians and six Saudi naval officers received BE degrees. Forty-nine students graduated in the discipline of Mechanical Engineering, 21 in Electrical Engineering and 98 in Electronic Engineering. Extending his felicitations to the fresh graduates especially those earning distinctions, the naval chief said the rapidly changing world situation warranted continuous hard work and dedication to keep up with challenges. He advised students to continue to acquire latest knowledge in the field.

Admiral Sandila appreciated the academic structure of the college functioning under the auspices of NUST and said that efforts put in by the Naval Engineering College to provide education in emerging fields and research and development areas were commendable. He also applauded the research work done in important fields like renewable energy, controls, industrial manufacturing engineering and management, thermo-fluids, secure communication and digital data recording.

Later, Naval Engineering College Commandant Rear Admiral Syed Imam Jafri highlighted various aspects of the academic programmes being offered at the college. At present, he said, the college offered BE, MS and PhD programmes in mechanical, electrical, electronic, industrial & manufacturing engineering and management information systems.

The college also offered BS in MIS through hybrid distance learning accredited with the National Computing Education Accreditation Council of the Higher Education Commission, he said.

Mr Jafri said that presently there were 27 PhD students at the campus.

NUST Rector Lt-Gen Mohammad Asghar, Commander Karachi, senior military officers, parents of the graduating students and other guests attended the ceremony.