President calls for heavy investment in healthcare and education sectors

96 MBBS, 74 nursing, 6 MBA graduates, 26 medical technologists get degrees

Islamabad

President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday stressed the need to invest heavily in health care and health education sectors for meaningful headway in Pakistan’s economic prosperity. 

“Pakistan, today, stands at the crossroad of its history with a large and overwhelming segment of our population comprising youth. If trained and educated properly with relevant professional skills and values, we can use their potential to transform this country to a flourishing economy at par with the developed world,” the president stated while addressing the third convocation of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU).

As many as 96 MBBS students, 41 Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), 33 Bachelors of Science in Nursing Post-RN (BSN Post-RN) students, 26 Associate of Science in Medical Technology students and 6 Masters in Business Administration students received degrees at the convocation. Mamoon expressed confidence that STMU shall continue to follow a model for a system of education that provides a blend of quality and values.

The president said, the medical profession involves a lifelong process of learning. He said, despite the fact that their institution has laid a solid foundation, it was ultimately the struggle and personal interest of the graduates towards learning present-day complexities in medicine and treatment procedures that would make them trustworthy professionals in their relevant fields.

“I am confident that you would always uphold the good practices and ethics of your noble profession,” the president said. “Success shall always come your way if you are consistent with your pursuits and committed to your cause,” he stated. The president also advised them to remember and follow the oath, which they have taken for their future professional career.

STMU Chancellor Dr. Manzoor H. Qazi presided over the convocation. Parents of the graduating students, faculty and the university management attended the event. The convocation featured the passing out of the 13th batch of Shifa College of Medicine, 9th batch of Shifa College of Nursing and 1st batch of MBA and first two Batches of Associate of Science in Medical Technology.

Earlier, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the graduating students, their parents and faculty. He said it was a matter of immense pleasure for him to share his views with the students and faculty of STMU. He added that the soil of Pakistan was ideal for dreamers who wished to find the interpretation of their dreams with skills such as positive thinking and hard work. He urged the students to play an active role in the fields of medicine, nursing, medical technology and management sciences and serve mankind with compassion, professionalism and empathy.

Five students of MBBS received gold medals for their outstanding academic performance. Gold and silver medals were also awarded to two Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Bachelors of Science in Nursing Post-RN students, two in Masters of Business Administration and two in Associate of Science in Medical Technology.