Lahore, January 27, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) held its fourth part of the 12th Convocation at Lahore on Thursday, 26 January 2023, to confer the degrees, gold medals, and merit certificates among the top-performing graduates of VU.
His Excellency the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Chancellor of the Virtual University of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, graced the event as a Chief Guest. The Founding Rector, Prof. Dr. Naveed A. Malik graced the event as a Guest of Honour.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has called upon all stakeholders to ensure that all school-going children were admitted to schools and all FSC-qualified students were admitted to higher education institutions (HEIs). Addressing the ceremony, the President said that all children of school going age should be admitted in schools and no child should be left behind as education was essential for the country’s development.
He said that as compared to other countries in the South Asian region, Pakistan had a low enrolment rate of 68% at the Primary Education Level whereas it was over 98% in other countries. He said that the low enrolment rate at the primary level was alarming and worrisome for the entire nation.
The President said that the universities usually take pride in refusing admissions to thousands of students who desire to pursue higher education which, he said, was deplorable and should be discouraged.
He called upon the government and relevant HEIs of the country to ensure 100% admission for all students seeking higher education by increasing their capacity to substantially increase the number of graduates equipped with quality higher education using online and blended modes of learning.
The President said that an educated youth and a skilled workforce were the most essential ingredients for moving forward but unfortunately the pace of producing IT educated youth of 27,000 per year was extremely low as compared to the neighbouring country which produced almost 800,000 IT graduates every year.
He highlighted that the most practical and speedy way to fill the gap between the required numbers of graduates was shifting our education system to internet-based online and hybrid modes which are now increasingly being practiced very successfully in different countries.
The President said the Muslim societies in the past became afraid of gaining new knowledge, were hesitant to adopt innovation, inventions and progress made in scientific, social and management fields and, therefore, were left far behind compared to many countries of the world.
He said the Sir Syed Ahmad Khan rightly realized the importance of education and knowledge after the War of Independence in 1857 and urged the Muslims to gain knowledge and education which was the lynchpin of gaining back the lost glory and supremacy.
He regretted that till date we were unable to act upon his advice as unfortunately only 68% of our children were admitted in schools at the primary level. He said that by starting now and taking appropriate actions, it would take only ten years to achieve 100% enrolment rate.
Earlier, Rector VU, Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti, said that VU, established in 2002, was providing higher education and skill training in the IT sector to the country’s youth and had become one of the largest universities in Pakistan in terms of student enrolment.
He further stated that 160,000 students were currently enrolled in various programs of the VU whereas 8000 foreign students were also enrolled. He added that VU was providing the most cost-effective, flexible, inclusive and accessible higher education in the country, besides providing scholarships and awards to deserving students. He informed that VU was also working on the development of differently-abled friendly and accessible course content.
Rector Virtual University also distributed degrees to all the graduates. Besides numerous dignitaries, faculty, staff, students, and their parents were present at the convocation.
For more information, contact:
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)
M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-880-880
Fax: +92-42-99200604, +92-42-99202174
Website: www.vu.edu.pk
