Student community urged to promote noble cause of education

LAHORE : (Saturday, January 16, 2010): Vice-Chancellor Punjab University Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has urged upon the mainstream political parties to join hands and through an Act of Parliament ensure that the government spends a minimum of four percent of GDP on education so as to enable Pakistan to survive honourably in the comity of nations.

He was addressing the annual award giving ceremony at the Institute of Business & Information Technology (IBIT) at the PU New Campus here today in which for the first time in the history of Institute ever, gold medals and commendatory certificates were given to the top three position holders who have graduated since the establishment of the institute in 2001. Law College Incharge Principal Shazia Noreen Qureshi, Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan, Director IBA Prof Dr Muhammad Ehsan Malik, Adviser to Vice-Chancellor Col Ikramullah Khan, besides a large number of IBIT students, also attended the award ceremony.

Dr Mujahid Kamran regretted that Pakistan is far behind in education and research as compared to the rest of the world. Highlighting the vital significance of educating the nation, the Vice-Chancellor said it provided the only means to the end of living with power, respect and plenty. He said two percent expenditure on education as percentage of our GDP (453 US$) is about three times less than that of the developed world and even India is spending twice the percentage, being spent by us. Resultantly, not only our literacy rate is abysmally low but majority of our schools also lack in basic amenities such as boundary walls, drinking water, electricity and latrines. Similarly, against our expenditure of mere 0.2 percent of GDP, the US , Japan and India are spending 2.7 percent, 3.5 percent and 0.85 percent, respectively, on research and development. He also congratulated the IBIT students for showing excellent performance which speaks for the present healthy academic environment provided to them and the singular commitment displayed by the teaching staff of the University. He impressed upon the student community that promotion of noble cause of education should be a focal point of their efforts in their practical life in order to build a prosperous and modern Pakistan.

Later, Dr Mujahid Kamran distributed 15 gold medals as well as 15 commendatory certificates amongst the IBIT students who demonstrated outstanding academic performance during the academic sessions from 2001 to 2006. The students presented humorous skits on the occasion which were greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the audience. Lucky draw was also held and prizes were distributed amongst the winners.

Earlier, Director IBIT Dr Syed Mansoor Sarwar, in his welcome address, said in short span of eight years, the Institute has produced 1034 graduates who have been hired by many national and multinational organizations including NBP, MCB, State Bank of Pakistan , NETSOLE, Nestle and PIA.