HYDERABAD, Feb 25: The adviser to the Sindh chief minister on local government, Mr Waseem Akhtar, has said civilizations are often measured by their institutions of higher education.

He was speaking at the convocation of the Isra University here on Saturday.

Mr Akhtar observed that one did not need to be a genius to succeed in a mission, adding that many students possessing limited capabilities achieved excellence because of hard work.

Commending services of the Isra University, he said that in no time it had been rated one of the best universities of the province by the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee, appointed by the Sindh governor.

He congratulated the university administration for the achievement.

He said attaining recognition from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan and inclusion of faculty of medicines and applied medical sciences in the World Directory of Medical Schools, recognized by the WHO and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, was the result of enormous efforts.

He said he was also happy to note that the Isra University had been included in the list of medical institutions for representation on the PMDC.

Directly addressing students, he said they ought to realise that failing in an examination was no humiliation but copying or cheating was a deplorable and degrading act.

He said students should not be afraid of making mistakes because one seldom learnt if one did not make mistakes.

The adviser said excellent medical facilities at the Isra University Hospital were a welcome service to the community in Hyderabad in general and the rural population of Sindh in particular. He, however, said there was a need to provide quality service at affordable cost.

University chancellor Prof (Dr) Ghulam Qadir Kazi said it was a non-profit organization that stood to serve the mankind through education, healthcare and social welfare.