1,961 students receive degrees at KU’s 27th convocation; CM, governor skip event

Despite commitments and confirmations from the chief minister and governor houses and eagerness shown particularly by the Governor House, both of them skipped the convocation of the city’s largest public-sector university on Saturday.

The 27th convocation of the University of Karachi was held at the Valika Ground of the campus. The varsity’s faculty members as well as graduating students and their parents were disappointed to learn that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Governor Mohammad Zubair were not coming to the ceremony.

Members of the teaching community said that the PPP-led government, through its controversial Sindh Universities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2013, wanted to appoint vice chancellor, director finance and controller of examinations in every public-sector higher education institution. They said the government had already appointed a director finance of its choice and the appointment of vice chancellor was made on the recommendation of the CM House, but the chief minister did not even attend KU convocation.

As many as 1961 students were awarded degrees in various disciplines, while 168 gold medals were awarded to students who secured the first position in their respective departments.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan, in the absence of the chancellor of the government-run universities of province, Mohammad Zubair, and chief guest Murad Ali, presided over the ceremony.

Dr Khan said that universities were seats of learning where knowledge was not only created but also dispensed. He mentioned that he was deeply concerned over the prolonged delay in holding selection boards for the promotion of faculty.

“I am gathering information regarding this matter and have directed the concerned office to arrange selection boards immediately. New advertisement will be announced also after the completion of selection boards.”

Discussing his efforts to secure financial grants for the varsity, Dr Khan informed that Higher Education Commission had allocated Rs3 billion for the KU. According to him, the PC-1 in this regard is almost ready and the varsity would secure this grant.

He further said that the Sindh government had already approved Rs526 million for the reconstruction of a water and sewerage system for the campus. “The provincial government has also already provided us with a grant of Rs100 million. However, I have requested an increase in the grant and am pushing for another Rs600 million grant for which I am confident that Sindh government will consider our request.

“The KU is surrounded by a population of middle and lower middle class people and for them survival under these trying conditions is difficult. Closest good medical facilities are about 10 kilometers away. This area definitely needs a hospital which could serve humanity who needs help.”

He mentioned that the KU liked to develop its own teaching hospital of at least 1, 000 beds with the state of the art facilities. 

“The college associated with it would provide training to undergraduates to make them better doctors but also provide facilities to conduct postgraduate research to work on those diseases which are specific to this region. Postgraduate research in medical profession is quite poor and we have the infrastructure to fill that vacuum. 

“Establishment of a medical college backed by a teaching hospital and complementary allied disciplinary departments is going to greatly benefit the students of various disciplines. Not only will it serve the academic purpose but the utility of the hospital for our staff and the adjoining community cannot be over-emphasised. I am looking for support both from provincial and federal governments.”  

The VC claimed that the University of Karachi had contributed immensely during the last 65 years in both areas, i.e. educating and illuminating young minds, besides enabling them to create quality knowledge.

“We teach students to wonder and ask questions and urge them to find answers to those questions. We also prepare them with skills to be a good and productive citizen of Pakistan and of the world.”

He informed the audience that the KU was continuously upgrading its curricula to keep abreast of current knowledge and societal needs and challenges. “We develop the curricula initially at the board of studies, followed by the board of faculty and finally at the academic council. We have developed a programme to provide financial support and scholarships to a number of students from our own resources and the contribution from local community and foreign organisations. In addition, HEC merit-based scholarships are also available.”

Lamenting the current situation, Dr Khan said that the campus’ infrastructure was designed to cater to the needs of 2,500 students, whose number had increased to more than 35,000. “Our facilities although improved could not keep up the pace with the increasing number of students.  Buildings, teaching laboratories, classrooms, roads, security, transport etc. need to be updated to meet the requirements.”

Highlighting the importance of science and technology, Dr Khan observed that a developing country could only become developed if it invested in science. “The governments need to invest sustainably for at least three decades in promoting and sustaining science culture in Pakistan, which would lead to quality science and eventually will produce technology that will make this country rich.

“I feel proud to inform you that we have basic infrastructure, quality trained human capitals to take the lead. I can assure you that by investing in developing science infrastructure at KU you are going to harvest the dividend millions of times in due course more than what will be invested now.”

Later, he congratulated the graduating students and advised them to play their positive role in societal development and betterment of the country.