Press Release
The Sixth Convocation of the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, was held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the UMT campus. Muhammad Mian Soomro, Former Chairman, Senate of Pakistan, was the chief guest at this occasion. Qazi Hussain Ahmad, renowned Islamic scholar and Dr Rafique Ahmad, Vice Chairman, UMT Board of Governors were present on the occasion.The Convocation was attended by a large number of students, parents, educationists and other dignitaries. Almost 528 students were awarded degrees including 341 students of the Dr Hasan Murad School of Management, 121 students of the School of Science and Technology and 66 students of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The formal ceremony began with the national anthem followed by the Tilawat-e-Quran. Rector UMT Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad welcomed everyone and thanked the chief guest for sparing some of his precious time and gracing the occasion with his presence. The Rector's address was followed by conferment of degrees and award of medals. Nine students from various programs of the University were awarded Patrons Medals while an additional twelve students were awarded the Rector's Medals for outstanding academic achievements.
The Ahmed Dawood Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 100,000/- was presented to Aqsa Qaseem. The Sardar Muhammad Ghalib Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 100,000/- was presented to Muhammad Hassan Qayyum Khan. The Dr Muhammad Ahmed Gold Medal Award along with cash prize of Rs 50,000/- was presented to Mahvish Salam Alvi.
Addressing on the occasion, Dr Rafique Ahmad congratulated the graduating students and their parents. He said that the award of "W" category by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), accreditation of the BS program by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and building of new edifice for the UMT library were notable achievements of UMT in the recent past. The University, he said, does not produce mere graduates; it produces innovators and leaders of thought. He said that the Quaid-i-Azam had a global vision for Pakistan whereby the country would lead the way in producing Muslim intellectuals, thinkers and professionals. This, he said, should be the idealism and the driving force of UMT graduates.
In his address, Qazi Hussain Ahmad emphasized the importance of faith and belief in Allah. He said that as Muslims we must follow the Prophet and be strong in our connection with Allah. He added that it was incumbent for all Muslim men and women to seek knowledge. On an important note, Qazi Hussain Ahmad said that Muslims must combine technological expertise and knowledge with their faith and belief in order to meet the challenges of the future. He said that Pakistan is endowed with immense natural resourced waiting for competent graduates to explore and develop them to Pakistan's advantage. He was optimistic that UMT graduates would be among those who would take up this responsibility upon themselves.
Muhammad Mian Soomro, the Chief Guest, also addressed the convocation gathering. He congratulated the graduating students and thanked UMT for inviting him to the Convocation that allowed him to share the joys and hopes of all those present. He said that communication technology had changed the world and made it more competitive. He urged the graduating students to focus on research and creation of new knowledge in order to best serve their country.
The graceful ceremony came to an end after presentation of Convocation souvenirs to the distinguished guests.