ISLAMABAD: The Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST) on Wednesday awarded degrees to 858 graduates. According to details, students were awarded degrees in different categories, including BBA, MBA, BS, MS and PhD, in the fields of management sciences, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, engineering management, computer science and bioinformatics. Addressing the convocation gathering held at the Convention Centre, chief guest Engr Javed Salim Qurshi, chairman, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), congratulated students on their academic achievements. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts and contribution of the University in the field of higher education. He also said that in the present day scenario, education does not end with acquiring a degree; it is a lifelong affair exploring new horizons, and broadening of the vision, marching on a never-ending journey towards new frontiers of knowledge. This will be mandatory for foreign engineering companies, operating in Pakistan to hire 70 percent of engineers from Pakistan. Registration with engineering council has been made easy by eliminating the preconditions of bank balance and professional experience. Now any qualified and registered engineer can just apply and get registration. The role of higher education becomes more prominent and wide ranging. In the present times, we do not only need just the conventional types of education. We are now faced with challenges of different types and it is the higher education which plays a key role in determining the position of a nation in today’s knowledge driven economy. It guarantees sustainable progress and assures a place of respect to both individuals and nations. He further, said, private educational institutions, especially at tertiary level, have steadily grown over the years, and the Capital University of Science & Technology, is one of those. I am happy to know that the Capital University of Science & Technology has broadened the range of its programs and training. The renowned scientist, Dr AQ Khan, said education plays a vital role in economic development of country. It raises the productivity and efficiency of individuals and thus produces skilled manpower that is capable of leading the economy towards the path of sustainable economic development. The ‘Jinnah Gold Medal’ was awarded to an overall best graduate of the Convocation Umar Shahzad, on his overall distinguished performance in curricular and extracurricular activities. Among the PhD 22 PhD graduates students, the list include Ahmad Fraz, Aijaz Mustafa Hashmi, Iffat Rasool, Iram Naz, Jamshed Khan, Nousheen Zafar, Sadia Shaheen, Shabbar Hussain, Shazia Faiz, Summaya Fatima Chughtai, Syed Tahir Husain Rizvi and Syeda Faiza Urooj Banoori in the field of Management Science, Ahmed Yar, Ghulam Murtaza, Imran Khan, Muhammad Yaqoob Wani, Muhammad Riaz and Syed Ussama Ali Shah in the field of Electrical Engineering, Munir Ahmad, Sami Ullah Khan and Shafiq Ur Rehman in Computing while Aqila Shaheen in the field of Mathematics. Published in Daily Times, December 7th 2017.