PU convocation: Governor stresses quality education

LAHORE:The 126th convocation of the Punjab University held on Monday in which 176 undergraduate and 275 master's students were awarded degrees while 148 medals were distributed among the position holders.
A total of 599 degrees, medals and prizes were distributed in the convocation. Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana was the chief guest while PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Mayor Lahore Col. (r) Mubashar Javed, PU Controller Examinations Prof Dr Shahid Munir, PU Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, deans and head of departments, faculty members and a large number of students and their parents were present on the occasion.
Addressing the convocation, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said quality education would lead to improve international ranking of varsities and increasing value of degree. He said being chancellor of all the universities across Punjab, he was much concerned about the quality of education.
He said the present era belonged to research, technology and specialization so these aspects must be focused. He stressed that criticism must be positive and constructive. He said all the political parties were patriotic but there could be difference of opinion.
However, there was no difference of opinion on sovereignty of Pakistan, economy, and strengthening democratic institutions. Every institution must work within its constitutional boundaries. He said toppling the governments was not a service to Pakistan.
Educated youth must join politics because we need sane and responsible politicians, he said. Rajwana said freedom of expression was everybody’s right, however, one must not hit others’ personal beliefs while exercising it.
He said students were real assets of Pakistan. The real test of students starts now and they must serve their country with zeal and zest to secure the future of generations to come. He encouraged the female students to join practical fields instead of just taking the degree and staying at home. He said the federal and provincial governments had given appropriate representation to the women in almost every institution.
Addressing the ceremony, Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir said the university administration had reinstated ‘Faculty of Health Sciences’ and students would be admitted in this faculty very soon. He said in 10 months, the administration had organized one academic council, two syndicate, nine selection board and 10 advanced studies and research board meetings.
­He said the university had also organized nine national and international conferences, six national workshops, 21 seminars and several symposiums. He said the university had also signed 24 memorandums of understanding to promote external linkages.