126th Convocation of Punjab University held at Faisal Auditorium

Lahore : Punjab Governor/Chancellor Punjab University Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana has said that quality education would lead to improving international ranking of universities, increasing respect of our degrees and being chancellor of all the universities, he is much concerned over quality of education.

He was addressing the 126th Convocation of Punjab University at Faisal Auditorium here on Monday.

In 126^th Convocation, 275 Master’s (session 2014-16), 176 undergraduate degrees (session 2012-2016) and 148 medals were distributed among the students. As many as 73 medals were distributed among undergraduate students while 75 medals were distributed among Master’s students. A total of 599 degrees, medals and prizes were distributed in the convocation.

PU VC Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Mayor Lahore Col (r) Mubashar Javed, Controller Examinations Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, faculties deans, head of various departments, senior faculty, officials and a large number medals and degree holder students and their parents were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Malik Rafique Rajwana said that there was difference between education and knowledge. He said that the present era belonged to research, technology and specialization and we must focus on improving all those aspects which would bring our universities among top universities of the world.

He said that we must appreciate good initiatives and deeds of others. He said that criticism on negative things must be positive and constructive. He said that all the political parties were patriotic but there could be difference of opinion.

However, he said, there is no difference of opinion that Pakistan, our economy, democratic institutions and parliament must be strengthened and every institution must work within its constitutional boundaries.

He said that toppling the governments was not a service to Pakistan. He said that educated youth must join politics as well because we needed sane and sensible politicians too. He said that freedom of expression was everybody’s right however, they must not spoil others’ basic rights while exercising their own right.

He said that students were real assets of Pakistan. He said that the real test of the students began now and they must serve their country because they were our future. He advised the students to serve common man whatever the professions they would join. Hence, the students can prove that the medals and degrees they obtained they really deserved, he added.

Mr Rajwana stated that it was a matter of pride that the students were earning their degrees from the best university of Pakistan. He advised the female students not to waste their talent by staying at home rather they must join practical life. He said that gone were the days when there was discriminatory attitude in institutions towards women rather women were coming forward now in all the professional fields.

He said that the federal and provincial governments had given appropriate representation to the women in the institutions.

Addressing the ceremony, PU VC Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir said that the administration had taken several initiatives in a very limited time to bring PU among the best universities of the world by promotion of research culture on campus.

He said that the administration had reinstated and activated Faculty of Health Sciences and students would be admitted in the said faculty very soon. He said that in 10 months, the administration had organized one Academic Council, two Syndicate, nine Selection Board and ten Advanced Studies and Research Board meetings.

He said that the university had also organized nine national and international conferences, six national workshops, twenty one seminars and several symposiums. He said that the university had also signed 24 memorandums of understanding to promote external linkages.

He said that curriculum of academic programs had been modernized while peaceful academic environment had also been ensured on campus.