Skardu (PR)

University of Baltistan, Skardu arranged its historic fourth convocation at the Anchan Campus of the university in Skardu on August 13, 2021. Seventy three students were awarded degrees in the convocation ceremony. Likewise, eleven students received Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals respectively. Major-General Jawad Ahmed, Commander FCNA/GOC graced the convocation as the Chief Guest and conferred degrees to the proud graduates of the university. Minister Education Raja Azam Khan, Minister Tourism Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Member GB Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Ms. Kulsoom Farman, Members Senate University of Baltistan, Vice Chancellors of partner universities, heads of various departments, Goodwill Ambassadors, dignitaries, parents, religious scholars, community elders, NGO representatives, CM Youth Assembly and members, and Print & Electronic Media representatives attended the ceremony. Moreover, administration team, faculty members, staff, students and volunteers of the University of Baltistan also attended the grand ceremony with jovial spirit. The ceremony was arranged by strictly following the COVID-19 SOPs set by the NCOC, Higher Education Commission, and the university.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Baltistan, welcomed the honorable Chief Guest and all other dignitaries and he also shed light on the achievements of the university at the national and international levels. The Vice Chancellor expressed deep felicitation to the proud graduates and their parents and hoped that they would leave no stone unturned to make the nation proud in the years ahead. He further said that it is an honor for the neophyte university that within a short period the university arranged four convocations spasmodically and successfully. Prof. Naeem Khan expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Major-General Jawad Ahmed, Commander FCNA, for gracing the mega event.

Professor Naeem Khan further added that the University of Baltistan is among the fewer universities in the country which continued teaching, learning, and assessment practices through online and hybrid modes. He also thanked the Federal Government and the Higher Education Commission for the allocation of funds for the construction of the university buildings and infrastructure and mentioned that the construction work is in progress by leaps and bounds. Vice Chancellor extended his gratitude to the GB government for the allocation of land as well as their unprecedented support to the university when and where needed. The Vice Chancellor also requested the GB government for allocation of grants to the Neophyte university.

Addressing the audience in the Convocation, the Chief Guest Major-General Jawad Ahmed congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on this auspicious and significant occasion. He lauded and appreciated the efforts of the Vice Chancellor and his team to continue teaching and assessment practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and for conducting four successful convocations in a short span of three years. The Chief Guest highlighted four core attributes of education including; spiritual, moral, professional, and physical (attributes) and advised the graduates to follow such golden rules in their practical lives. He mentioned that education should bring humbleness, respect, compassion, tolerance, and professionalism among the learners. The Chief Guest further expressed that education should enable the youth to turn obstacles and challenges into opportunities.

The medal receiving graduates dedicated their successes to their parents and teachers. They also appreciated the efforts of the University of Baltistan that provided them with opportunities of higher education at their door-steps. “Due to socio-economic conditions and cultural restrictions, my parents were reluctant to send me to other parts of the country for higher education. Thanks to the Baltistan University that enabled me to turn my dreams into realities and today I received a Gold Medal”, said a medal receiving girl graduate. Another Silver Medal receiving girl graduate expressed her words and said, “had the Baltistan University not been there, my dreams of higher education would not have come true”. Likewise, a male graduate expressed that the UoBS has given him space and opportunities to unleash his inner potentials and enabled him to access higher education at his doorstep.