Amid controversy, Ebad awards honorary degrees to social activists

Karachi

Despite serious concerns of the teaching fraternity of public sector universities, the chancellor of the government-run universities, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, awarded two honoris causa to philanthropists and social activists, namely Sardar Yasin Malik and Haji Hanif Tayyab.

A special convocation was held at the Governor House on Wednesday to confer the honorary degrees.

According to a group of teachers in the University of Karachi, several officials working on administrative posts were also against the decision to award honoris causa, but the vice chancellor and others did not take any stand as the governor was personally in its favour.

They termed the act a case of “conflict of interest” and claimed that very few people were in favour of the decision, while the majority was against it. Conferring the degrees on Sardar Yasin Malik and Haji Hanif Tayyab during the special convocation, Dr Ebad said the act of awarding honorary degrees to the two social activists was a tremendous tradition for which the management of the Karachi University should be commended.

Provincial education minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, advisor Auqaf, Abdul Qayoum Soomro, former prime minister and Sindh Governor Mohammad Mian Soomro, former Sindh governor Lt Gen (R) Moinuddin Hyder, Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Arif ullah Hussaini and Chairman TDAP S M Muneer were also present on the occasion.

The governor said the unanimous approval of the syndicate of KU to award the degrees to both of them was recognition of their selfless services to humanity. “Honouring and recognising the devotion and commitment of such individuals is a sign of a living and civilised society and it encourages others to follow their lead.”

Sardar Yasin Malik and Haji Hanif Tayyab had utilised all of their abilities to minimise the sufferings of common man by contributing in health, education and other social sectors and they had been conferred honorary degrees on merit, he added.

On the occasion, KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Qaisar said both the personalities were very active members of University's syndicate and it decided unanimously to award honorary degrees to them in recognition of their untiring services.

Thanking the chancellor and syndicate members, Sardar Yasin Malik said it was an honour for him to earn the degree.

Haji Hanif Tayyab said that as a member of syndicate, he had endeavoured his utmost for the betterment of the university.  He also thanked members of the syndicate for awarding him the degree.