Rawalpindi - The Foundation University held Convocation 2016 here at its auditorium yesterday.

Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Haroon Aslam HI(M), Chief Executive and Managing Director Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL), was the chief guest while Rector FU Islamabad Maj Gen (Retd) Khadim Hussain HI(M) and Director FU Rawalpindi Campus Brig (Retd) Dr Akhtar Nawaz Malik were also present on the occasion.

As many as 257 graduates of humanities & liberal arts, engineering & IT, MPhil (psychology) and MPhil (economics) were awarded degrees by the MD FFBL. The chief guest also awarded 8 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 6 distinction certificates and 15 merit certificates. The award for best graduating student was clinched by Salman Farooq. A cash prize was also awarded to the best graduating student.

In his welcome address, the rector FUI highlighted the progress and academic excellence FUI has achieved in the past years. He said the Foundation University is set to produce innovative, internationally competitive graduates committed in the development of Pakistan and capable of providing leadership in civic, business and public service of the country. He hoped that the FUI graduates are expected to possess high professional competence combined with humanistic and moral qualities.

The chief guest said that that the convocation marks the transition from formal studies at the university campus to the society at large. He said the graduates will now have an opportunity to use their knowledge and expertise in the service of their country. “This new phase which, while imposing new challenges, also offers great opportunities to make Pakistan a vibrant and respectable country amongst the comity of nations,” he emphasised.

He said, “I am quite optimistic that the Foundation University Islamabad would flourish and excel in the years to come.” He lauded the concerted efforts of the rector, deans, faculty and the entire management of FUI to improve the quality of education, teaching and learning environment, curriculum development, accreditation of programmes of study, up-graduation of the university’s infrastructure and indulgence of faculty and senior students to enhance the quality of programmes and in the development of research culture.

He congratulated the parents and guardians of graduating students and award winners and said that the graduating students will now have an opportunity to use their knowledge and expertise in the service of their country. In the end, the rector FUI presented a shield to the chief guest.