More than 1,700 students of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, and its Bilawal Medical College received their degrees at the 21st and 2nd convocations, respectively, of the two educational institutions on Saturday.
Sindh Minister Addresses Convocation
While addressing the convocation, Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards, Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, said that medical science has always been a commanding and demanding profession. “You can help the people upgrade the quality of their lives,” he acknowledged. At the same time, the minister warned that a little attention from doctors could save lives, and a little negligence might end up doing the opposite.
Commitment to Health and Education
Reiterating the commitment of the Sindh Government towards health and education initiatives, Rahoo recalled that in 2008, there were only 11 universities in Sindh, but that figure had now been enhanced to 27. He congratulated all graduates and postgraduates who were honored with medals and received degrees at the convocation.
Vice Chancellor's Remarks
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Ikram Din Ujjan, congratulated the institution’s 1,435 graduate and 272 postgraduate students on completing their degree programs. He noted that the convocation was the most cherished academic event for every student. “Today their hard work is rewarded and they are granted permission to enter the noble profession of medicine and to practice their acquired knowledge and skills for the benefit of society,” he underscored.
While praising the dedication and endeavors of the faculty members, he expressed hope that the teachers would continue their efforts to cope with future challenges in the fields of medical education and healthcare. The VC noted that the establishment of Bilawal Medical College for Boys had balanced the disequilibrium between male and female enrollment in medical colleges and universities.
Recent Developments at LUMHS
He described the establishment of Liaquat Institute of Medical and Health Sciences in Thatta district in a short period of time as revolutionary. He said the institute would provide modern health facilities to the ailing community of that area, besides delivering quality education to students. Ujjan said LUMHS’s services hospital was another milestone achieved by the university with an aim to provide healthcare facilities. He added that the varsity had also been assigned to provide health facilities to the people of Dadu district and Kotri taluka of Jamshoro, for which they had upgraded the civil hospitals in both cities.
According to him, the Diagnostic and Research Laboratory of LUMHS had established a network of diagnostic facilities throughout the province, providing tests at subsidized rates. The VC apprised that the LUMHS Community Health FM radio was playing a vital role in educating people regarding health and prevention from diseases. He further added that, considering the high cost of dental treatment, a state-of-the-art Advanced Dental Care Center had been established at Hyderabad to provide treatment to patients with dental issues at very subsidized rates. He told that the center remained operational from morning till evening while a large number of postgraduate students were also provided training at that facility.
The VC stated that keeping in view the supply, maintenance and repair of medical equipment and machines at government hospitals, LUMHS had set up a College of Technology to train students in the field of MRI, CT scan and ultrasound machines. He boasted that the students gave their tests at the computerized examination center of LUMHS, which also had a digital library. Ujjan apprised that they had developed academic linkages with higher education institutions in the US, UK, China and other developed countries.
Degree Distribution Details
As many as 891 graduates of MBBS, 163 of BDS, 48 of Doctors of Physiotherapy, 51 Doctors of Pharmacy, 36 of Biomedical Engineers, 83 of Bachelors in Nursing, 47 of BS Radiologic Technology, 25 of BS Medical Laboratory Technology, 36 of BS Forensic Biology, 27 of BS Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, 23 of BS Molecular Biology and Genetics received degrees. The convocation also conferred 5 degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medicine, among 272 postgraduate degrees.
Medal Winners
Dr Maria Anwar of the MBBS batch 2019, LUMHS, was awarded 3 gold medals and Dr Dua Aijaz of the MBBS batch 2020 was awarded 4 gold medals and a silver medal, besides the award of the Best Graduate. Likewise, Dr Ayesha Saleem of the BDS batch 2020 was decorated with 8 gold medals and Dr Rutaba of the BDS batch 2021 with 13 gold medals. Dr Usman Narejo and Dr Hameed Ahmed of Bilawal Medical College also received gold medals.
