SSUET awards over 1,200 degrees at 20th convocation

As many as 1,237 students were awarded degrees for various bachelors and masters programmes at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology's (SSUET) 20th convocation held at the Expo Centre on Sunday.

The top three students of each department were also awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The chief guest of the ceremony, nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, called upon the engineers to equip themselves with latest knowledge in science and technology to serve the country.

He said the students should not limit themselves to just bachelor degree but should go forth for masters and PhDs to meet the present day challenges.

Khan recalled that when India acquired nuclear technology and became a nuclear power with the sole objective to establish its hegemony, he came up with a proposal to make Pakistan a nuclear power that was immediately approved and within six years the target was achieved and Pakistan became an atomic power.

He hoped that engineers of today would serve the cause of the country in future.  He urged the students to devote themselves to the cause and interests of the country instead of losing heart because of the low values in the country.  “This is our country and we have to work for the glory of our motherland.”

Speaking on the occasion, SSUET Chancellor Jawaid Anwar said this was an era of knowledge based on economy in which small countries such as Singapore and Korea have excelled to ensure development.

“If you see for yourself, you will observe that the access to and use of modern technological education are the key to social development and evolution of human civilisation.”

He said the SSUET held a prominent place in the academic sector due to its high standard of education and the training it imparts to its students. “Our graduates hold leading positions in many national and international organisations, where they are proving their mettle. They are fully equipped to take on the challenges of present and future requirements.”

The SSUET chancellor said the concept of social reforms of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was based upon acquisition of modern scientific education. He said the key ingredients of this concept were proper upbringing, character building and tolerance.

“The Aligarh Muslim University proved to be the laboratory where such concepts were experimented which produced students who possessed the above traits. The positive results of this experiment are the establishment of Pakistan.”

SSUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Syed Jawaid H Rizvi said the varsity, since its inception, focused on dissemination of knowledge and imparting skills and expertise through quality education in the domain of science, engineering and technology.

“We believe that technology plays a vital role in the development and progress of our country as all modern development taking place these days are the direct outcome of technical advancement. The economic future of Pakistan is in the hands of engineers and technology experts.”