During the last 2 years I have also attended convocations in various state universities but it has always been a special honor for me to attend the convocation of this lone Women’s University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Today I am with you for the second time in a year in your happy moments. The motive behind a separate women’s university is to provide an option to parents who are reluctant to send their daughters to universities that offer co-education. It is our wish that all the women of the region should be educated so that they can play an active role in the service of the nation.
I am proud to say that we are at the forefront in this regard as it is the only women’s organization in both Occupied and Azad Kashmir. Today is our graduating students’ day and at the outset I extend my heartiest congratulations to the graduating students and their proud parents.
The presence of Chairman Higher Education Commission of Pakistan with us is a great joy and motivation for the graduating students. You are not only a valuable asset to your profession but also the intellectual wealth of our nation. I want to draw your attention to the fact that you are an ambassador for your alma matter and your work and behavior will reflect on your institution.
You must demonstrate the highest level of professionalism complemented by strong character, loyalty and ownership of the organization you study and work for. I wish you all the best for your future.
As a result of your tireless efforts, you were able to achieve your goals and live up to the expectations of your parents and teachers. You have now completed a critical phase of your life, and are moving on to the next step of further education, or joining any organization to start your career. On this achievement, before stepping out into the real world outside the ivory towers of academia, I have a few words of guidance for you that I believe will prove useful in your future endeavours.
As you know graduation is an important step in your life. I am sure you all must have worked hard to reach this stage today. Likewise, you are eager and passionate about contributing to the world and making a difference in people’s lives. Today you are carrying countless memories with you.
I want to make you realize that each of you has a huge responsibility to pay back the society and the country that has contributed to your education and success so far. It is also a time to start a new job, follow your dreams or make important life decisions to support your family. I believe that everyone wants to be a good citizen, a citizen who always keeps the interest of the country in mind.
I advise you never to measure your success only in terms of material gains. You need to know what you really want to do with your life. Choose to do what gives you satisfaction and meaning. Do the things that bring you closer to your desires. Do what makes your family proud of you, take a fruitful path forward for yourself.
By hard work, dedication, sincerity and following moral and ethical values you can achieve your goals. Our universities and colleges have not progressed much in terms of becoming centers of innovation in the fields of science and technology.
Although boys and girls are able to acquire the latest skills and adapt themselves to meet the technological needs of the industry, we are somehow lagging behind in driving innovation.
As the Chancellor of the State Universities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, I visit all the universities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In all the convocations I have attended across the state, I have seen that our girls are outpacing our boys, which is a really encouraging trend and shows the potential of our daughters.
However, it has been observed that the entry of women in technical fields is low. Our girls should be encouraged to pursue technical education and excel in it like other fields. Advancement and excellence of women in technical fields will add a new dimension to our national development.
It will promote gender empowerment of women at the highest level in the field of science and technology and help break the glass ceiling in one of the most important fields of the 21st century world.
It is heartening to know that despite the limited resources and available infrastructure, the number of students in this university has reached around 2500 at present.
I am happy to hear that 3106 students have graduated from this institution out of which 713 are MPhil graduates which is quiet rational and encouraging in the adverse situation facing the university.
More than 40% of the faculty members of the total teaching staff are pursuing Ph.D. Degrees are a good indicator that the institution has hired qualified and competent teachers to teach. I am well aware of the fact that expansion of degree programs and proper training of students is not possible without the required infrastructure.
He expressed these views while addressing the annual convocation of Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bagh here today.
On this occasion, Chairman Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed participated as guest of honor in the event. Meritorious Professor Dr. Abdul Hameed Vice Chancellor Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bagh, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology, Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, faculty members, and students presented a bouquet to the Chief Guest on his arrival at Government Boys Post Graduate College Bagh. He was welcomed.
The chief guest was brought to the stage in a procession by faculty members, recitation of Holy Quran and National Anthem of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan formally started the convocation. Registrar Women University Bagh Dr. Syeda Siddiqa Firdous performed the duties of the stage secretary.
Presidential Secretariat Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad
President Azad Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has said that local body elections in Azad Kashmir will be held on November 27 in any case and will be fair. There is no security problem in Azad Kashmir either. To say that there will be no local body elections due to security is wrong and it will have a negative impact on Azadi Kashmir Movement because there is no security problem in Azad Kashmir. Tax collection will remain the boss of Azad Kashmir government and there will be no compromise on this. Some people have created misunderstandings in this regard.
I will also talk to the Chief Justice of the High Court for setting up a circuit bench in Bagh, but in the meantime the bench of the High Court which is closed at Rawalkot for four months should be shifted to Bagh for that period.
India wants to end the Kashmir problem, for which Hindus are being resettled to change the state demography by abolishing the special status of Kashmir, India is using nefarious tactics to make a Hindu Chief Minister in Occupied Kashmir, America The State Department gave me the official protocol as the President of Azad Kashmir, which supports the position of Kashmiris. If India continues its nuclear program, we also have to continue our program.
A strong and stable Pakistan is the guarantor of Kashmir’s independence. Defense condemns the cowardly threats of attack on Azad Kashmir. The international community should take notice of this.
The political leadership of Pakistan should be united and speak the same language for the nuclear program, economic development and Kashmir issue. There is political tolerance in Azad Kashmir, India. If the defense minister tries to implement the threats, Kashmiris will make their own history of 1947.
He expressed these views while addressing a special meeting of the District Bar Association Bagh here today as a special guest.
On this occasion, Sardar Mir Akbar Khan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, President District Bar Association Bagh Farrukh Khan Chagatai, Vice Chairman Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bar Council Sardar Tariq Masood, Secretary General District Bar Association Raja Atiq attended the meeting of District Bar Association Bagh.
Ahmed Khan, also speaking, appreciated the efforts of President Azad Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, to highlight the Kashmir issue at the international level.
After the action of Shimla Maaidah, the status of Shimla Maaidah ended and therefore Kashmiris were not participating in it. will be able, the President of Azad Kashmir announced to play his full role for the establishment of Circuit Bench of High Court in Bagh.