Engineers can play vital role in bringing economic stability: Mamnoon

Karachi
Graduates with a strong educational base in engineering and technology could play a pivotal role in bringing progress and economic stability to the country, said President Mamnoon Hussain while addressing the 27th convocation ceremony of the Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) on Thursday.
Asserting that high importance was being attached to the education sector, the president said, “The government has gradually increased the educational budget to four per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).”
He also claimed that the first two objectives set to be achieved through Vision 2025 were improving both primary and higher education in the country.
He appreciated the role of Pakistan Navy and NUST (National University of Science and Technology – of which PNEC is a constituent college-) for promoting quality education in the country.
The university’s students were also praised for globally promoting a softer and progressive image of the country by participating in Students Exchange Programmes and other academic initiatives.
The President congratulated the passing-out students and their parents on their success. “Your professional degree is the first step towards a lifelong journey of learning.”
Earlier, on his arrival the President was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah and Rector NUST Engineer Muhammad Asghar.
As many as 288 graduates were awarded degrees at the convocation out of which 43 received Masters Degrees, whereas 245 received degrees in the discipline of Bachelors of Engineering and Management Information Systems.
To acknowledge the outstanding academic performance of students in their respective disciplines, 33 medals were also awarded to the position holders which included 14 Presidential Gold Medals, 3 Chief of the Naval Staff’s Gold Medals, 7 Rector Gold Medals and 9 Chancellors Silver Medals.
Commandant PNEC Commodore Dr Nassar Ikram, in his welcome address, said that 35 students of the college were pursuing PhD degrees, while 8 had successfully completed their doctorate degrees.
Two graduates of the college were also said to be currently serving as vice chancellors of different engineering universities of Pakistan, he added.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of parents of graduating students and naval officers.