KARACHI: Marked by a spirit of academic achievement and celebration, the 28th convocation of Hamdard University saw more than 1,900 scholars and students awarded PhD, MPhil, Master’s, and Bachelor’s degrees on Saturday.
Addressing the graduating class as chief guest, celebrated scientist and former federal minister Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rehman urged students to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of excellence, innovation, and research. He emphasised that in today’s world, knowledge — rather than natural resources — has become the defining force behind economic growth and national progress.
“Truth is truly stranger than fiction today, as intellectual capital — not mineral wealth — is the primary engine of growth,” he remarked, adding that countries investing in emerging fields of science and technology are moving ahead rapidly, while those failing to innovate risk falling further behind.
Dr Atta-ur-Rehman cited breakthroughs in fields such as genomics, materials engineering, medicine, and stem cell technology that have produced wonders considered unimaginable only a few years ago. He pointed out that newly developed products with anti-ageing properties have now made it biologically possible for humans to attain a lifespan of 100–120 years.
“Scientists have discovered that thoughts are not abstract entities but are comprised of molecules and atoms,” he noted while discussing the rapid progress in neurology. He referenced the pioneering work of Elon Musk’s Neuralink, noting that the US Food and Drug Administration has already sanctioned the use of brain-chip interfaces.
In a profound reflection on the origins of life, the scientist — who has the distinction of having research centres named after him in Malaysia, China, and Pakistan — explained that the elements created during supernova explosions eventually converge to form planets and human life alike. “The atoms we are made of were created long ago in the stars. In a literal sense, we are made of stardust; as I said, truth is often stranger than fiction.”
The ceremony marked a significant academic milestone, with 11 scholars awarded PhDs and a further 110 receiving MPhil degrees. In total, 1,912 students were conferred degrees in various disciplines. For their exceptional performance across Hamdard’s seven faculties, 35 young men and women were awarded gold medals. Furthermore, five students were named winners of the Hakim Mohammed Said Gold Awards, while three received medals from the Institution of Engineers, Pakistan.
Individual faculty achievements were also recognised: the Researcher of the Year Award was conferred upon Prof Dr Syed Mubeen, and the Best Teacher Award was presented to Dr M. Faris. The Lifetime Achievement Award was granted to Prof Dr Kamran Zaheer in recognition of his enduring contributions to academia.
In his speech, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Imran Amin stated that with Saturday’s graduation, Hamdard University’s alumni network has reached 37,500 — a testament to the institution’s growth. He shared that the university disbursed scholarships worth Rs219 million over the last year and announced that several foreign delegations are expected to visit in the coming months.
He also detailed the progress of various faculties and the creation of five new student clubs designed to act as incubators for leadership and civic responsibility.
Chancellor Ms Sadia Rashid (HI) urged the graduates to remain mindful of their responsibilities as citizens. “My message to you is simple, yet profound: help people as you move ahead in life,” she remarked.
She encouraged the graduates to let compassion guide their actions, treating others with dignity and fairness, and to ensure their education becomes a lasting source of benefit for society.
