ISLAMABAD:04 December: Riphah International University (RIU) held its 6th Convocation on Saturday, at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. Renowned scientist Dr Samar Mubarikmand was the chief guest on the occasion.

Nearly, 1000 graduates and postgraduates of the university in various disciplines including Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Management Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences and Computer Sciences were awarded degrees at the convocation.

22 Zulfiqar Gold Medals and 18 Chancellor’s Gold Medals were awarded to the graduates and postgraduates for obtaining top positions in the examinations and securing distinction for their best performance in the academic field in various disciplines.

The Chief Guest Dr Samar Mubarakmand, in his address, said Pakistan is a country endowed with vast resources. The fertile lands yield abundant quantities of cotton, wheat, rice, oilseeds, fruits, which not only feed and clothe our people but also find their way into world markets to fulfill the needs of other countries.

He said the present day world is too preoccupied in judging the economies of nations in terms of per capita incomes and balance of payments. These may be very important figures from the point of view of the economists who happen to dominate opinions on the progress of countries. Mubarakmand said in a world imminently facing global recession we may find that the ultimate yardstick for the survival of populations will be the availability of sufficient food, clothing, cheap electricity, clean drinking water and raw materials to run the internal economies competitively.

He said ninety five percent of the wealth of Pakistan lies under its soil in the form of huge deposits of coal, copper, gold silver, iron ore, lead, zinc, chromites and bauxite. Large gas fields and oil deposits may be lying under ground awaiting discovery. The Pro-Chancellor Hassan M. Khan, in his speech, said as you know, last year the worst floods in our history devastated Pakistan.

RIU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Anis Ahmad, in his speech, said education and particularly higher education is linked with the economic development. Therefore current trend in higher education is to develop linkage with the industry. This facilitates availability of recourses for industry and developing of expertise and human resources by the universities. Earlier, the passing out graduate took oath to serve the humanity with dedication in their respective professions.

Zulfiqar Gold Medals were awarded to included Dr Arshad Nawaz Malik, Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (Session Spring 2008 - Fall 2009), Dr. Hafiza Tahira Tasnim, Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (Session Fall 2008 - Spring 2010), Dr. Imran Rafiq, Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (Session Spring 2009 - Fall 2010), and other.

While Chancellor’s Gold Medals were awarded included Dr. Muhammad Saleh, Master of Science in Pain Medicine (Session 2009-2010), Dr. Muhammad Fahad Siddique, Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (Session Spring 2008 - Fall 2009), Dr Danyal Ahmad, Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (Session Fall 2008 - Spring 2010) and others.Daily Times.