LAHORE: The 125th Convocation of University of the Punjab was held on Monday at the PU New Campus in which medals and degrees were conferred upon 1,454 students. Minister for Higher Education Syed Raza Ali Gillani was the chief guest on the occasion. Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Nizamuddin, PU Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Examination Controller Shahid Munir, faculty members, students and their parents were also present on the occasion. Gold medals were awarded to 174 students who outshined in their examination. At the ceremony, students of different disciplines who completed their studies in the BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MS, MPhil and PhD were awarded degrees. As many as 26 PhD, 738 MPhil/MS, 238 master’s and 178 undergraduate degrees and 174 medals were distributed among the students. As many as 80 medals were distributed among undergraduate students, while 94 medals were distributed among master’s students. A total of 1454 degrees, medals and prizes were distributed in the convocation. The convocation attracted special attention of all the participants. Ms Park Kyo Soun, A Korean student, obtained her PhD degree in history, while an Iranian student obtained her PhD degree in biological sciences. Especially, a blind student, Muhammad Ahmad, got gold medal in his master’s degree in Pakistan studies. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Raza Ali Gillani said that the government was taking initiatives to bring five universities of Punjab in QS ranking with special focus on the PU. He said that he believed in the leadership of PU VC Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir and his policies would bring PU in the top 500 universities of the world. He said that it was indicated in the World Economic Forum that Pakistan was eight points better than India in development. He said that there was no book better than the Holy Quran and if “we take guidance from the holy book, we can rule the world”. He said that it was unfortunate that the people were moving away from their culture, and the person who could speak in English language was considered a “literate”. He said that there must be a medical college and a 400-beded teaching hospital at the Punjab University. He announced that 10 buses would be provided to the Punjab University on the demand of the university administration and assured his full support for construction of five hostels and flats for teachers and employees at the PU. He also congratulated the degree holders and medal winners. In his address, PU VC Prof Dr Zafar Mueen said that it was his top priority to bring the PU amongst the top 500 universities of the world. He said that he wanted to establish culture of quality research at the campus and the central point of his policy was “merit”. He said that he believed in devolution of power so he was empowering deans and heads of institutions. He said that he believed in authority with accountability. He said that he was introducing a digital campus management system, replacing the obsolete existing system. He said that one window cell was also being set up at the Department of Examinations. He said that our youth was full of potential and there was a need to polish their talent. He congratulated the participants on achieving their degrees and medals.