The 8th Convocation of Karakoram International University (KIU) was held at the main campus of the University on 25th August 2017 in which the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain awarded the 48 gold and 28 silver medals to the high performing graduates. The graduates finished their studies in the fields of Business Management, Linguistics, Social, Life and Natural Sciences. Besides acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalil Ahmed, ex VC Dr. M.Asif Khan, Registrar Mr. Abdul Hameed Lone, Dean of Social Sciences Dr. Muhammad Ramzan, Dean Life Sciences Dr. Syed Muazzam Ali Nizami, Acting Dean Dr. Manzoor Ali, Ex. Director General Mr. Shahid Ali, Ex. Dean Dr. Muhammad Salim Khan awarded degrees to 581 graduates upon successfully completing their undergraduate and graduate programs.
The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain congratulated the graduates who successfully complete their program and reminded them the role of a graduate for the country. He said that KIU is playing a vital role to increase education in GB. He said I hope you realize the profound role upon your shoulders to ignite the spirit of peace, prosperity, and productiveness. He said that you are the one who can become the agents of change for a better future and you are the one to build your society. He urged the students to play a role to end prejudice, sectarianism and discriminatory practices in the society.
The President emphasized that CPEC would not only bring economic prosperity in the region but would also open up new academic avenues for the youth. He said that the KIU would perform valuable services in this sector, saying that if the said cell introduced some new courses to make CPEC studies more effective and comprehensive than its utilization would not remain confined to this university only.
President further added that the youth of Gilgit Baltistan to convert their cultural heritage into their educational opportunities which came from the great silk Route in the past and now offered by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Speaking on the occasion, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Khalil Ahmed expressed his optimism that KIU students, for sure, be responsible citizens and future leaders. He said that the university is striving to provide quality education to the students at their door steps despite considerable challenges. He said that the university is set in a dramatic background of steep mountains at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers. The KIU has the potential to forge a convergence point in order to establish a knowledge society for Central Asia, East Asia and South Asia VC added.
Dr. Khalil further added that the problem faced by the students coming from the various parts of this sparsely populated region, the needs for the residence, hostels, and related matters. He said that there is no any hostel for boys, for 624 employees of KIU have only 29 residence houses which do not fulfill the requirements. Due to unexpected weather condition, the 8th Convocation was divided into two sessions. In the first session, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Mamoon Hussain awarded Gold medals to 48 Graduates of different programs. In second session Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed, Ex-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Khan and others distributed degrees among 587 graduates of 15 academic departments. Mr. Muhammad Zafar Shakir Assistant Professor was master of ceremony of both sessions.