NAWABSHAH, Jan 23: Engineers are the builders of a country and being technical persons, it is their foremost duty to ensure proper construction and operation of technical systems such as irrigation, highways, industries, power plants, oil refineries, docks and harbours, airports, railways, etc.

The Sindh governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, who is also chancellor, said this while addressing the first convocation of the Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology on Thursday. He was the chief guest on the occasion.

He said that this was only possible when the engineers were technically sound and committed to their duties, and added that they must get ready to address new challenges that crop up every now and then, such as natural calamities, water shortages, and environmental degradation.

He said that the country was blessed with vast natural resources and it was our duty to exploit them to provide better living conditions for our people and be amongst the developed and affluent countries in the comity of nations.

Highlighting solar energy as the largest inexhaustible and environment-friendly source of energy, he said that a complete revolution was likely if systematic research was conducted and suitable devices were invented for its appropriate utilization.

He said that knowledge was a real asset and in the present times of sheer competition, where survival of the fittest was the order of the day and privatization was gaining ground in every walk of life, only competent people and experts would be comfortably placed in the job market.