Beaming graduates brace to follow dreams

Islamabad : Degrees, gold medals and awards were conferred upon 213 beaming graduates of the Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU) at a dignified convocation ceremony – the university’s 5th since its inception in 2012 – here at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Saturday.

Aside from family members of the graduates, the ceremony was attended by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of STMU, Dr. Manzoor Qazi and Prof. Dr Mohammad Iqbal, respectively, along with deans and faculty members. Nuclear scientist Dr. A Q Khan was the chief guest, while Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed attended as the guest of honour.

Degrees were conferred to 102 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), 6 Master of Science in Nursing, 37 Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), 38 Bachelors of Science in Nursing Post-RN, 19 Associate of Science in Medical Technology (ASMT) and 11 MBA graduates. Dr. Muhammad Faizan Khalid was awarded ‘Dr. M. Amin Gold Medal’ for outstanding performance in 1st Prof (Part-1), Dr. Syed Ali Raza Gillani was awarded ‘Dr. Syed Qamar Alam Gold Medal’, ‘Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Gold Medal’ and ‘Dr. Nazeer Ahmed Gold Medal’ for outstanding performance in 1st Prof (Part-2), 2nd Prof and 3rd Prof MBBS respectively, while ‘Dr. Syed Touqeer Ali Shah Gold Medal’ was awarded to Dr. Ayesha Hassan for her outstanding performance in Final Prof. MBBS.

One gold and one silver medal for MSN students were awarded to Sajjad Ahmed and Asia Nazir on achieving first and second positions, respectively. Two students of MBA Hina Nisar and Maria Iram received gold medals for acquiring 1st position, while two silver medals were awarded to Sundas Khalid Khan and Iram Batool for acquiring 2nd position. One gold and one silver medal for ASMT students were awarded to Umar Zaman and Rabia Bukhari on achieving first and second positions, respectively. Certificates of distinctions were also awarded to high achievers of MBBS, BSN, PRN, MSN, ASMT and MBA.

Delivering the inaugural speech, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Iqbal took pride in how much STMU has achieved within a span of five years, largely on account of its groundbreaking research in healthcare and quality education. He urged the graduates to continue the process of learning throughout their lives.

Dr. A Q Khan said, “The soil of Pakistan is ideal for dreamers who wish to find the interpretation of their dreams with skills such as positive thinking and hard work.” He advised the graduates to support the vision of placing Pakistan among the world’s topmost countries vis-à-vis education and research; and to abide by the oath they took. “We all avow to struggle for making this country a welfare state where everyone is allowed to spend life of the basis of social justice and where everyone can live in peace and honour,” he concluded.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed congratulated the graduates and their parents and termed STMU as one of the finest medical institutions. “Trustworthiness, honesty, integrity and loyalty are the only principles that can upgrade us as a nation,” he stated before moving on to award the graduates.