The Sixth Convocation of Beaconhouse National University (BNU) held at BNU Tarogil Campus on Saturday. The convocation was presided over by the Governor Punjab and Chancellor of the university Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa, Chairperson, BNU Board of Governors, Nasreen Mahmood Kasuri, Vice Chancellor Sartaj Aziz, and members of the Board of Governors were also present at the occasion.
A total of 243 students received their degrees on this convocation including 78 of M.Phil, MS and Masters programmes, while 165 of Bachelor programmes. The deans of respective BNU schools presented their graduates on the ceremony. Professor Salima Hashmi, Dr Gulzar Haider, Dr Tariq Rahman, Professor Dr Hafiz A. Pasha, Professor Dr Mehdi Hassan, Professor Dr Ruhi Khalid, and Dr Khawer Zia presented degrees to the students of their schools. Whereas 19 gold medals were awarded to distinction holders in recognition of academic excellence achieved by them in their specific disciplines. Among the total gold-medallists, 16 were girl students.
The Chancellor, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, in his address commended the Chairperson, Board of Governors, Nasreen Mahmood Kasuri, Board Members and Faculty of BNU for pioneering higher-education in novel disciplines and fast emerging as a center of excellence in these disciplines. He said, "it is not the brick and mortar but the soul within a scholar that bespeaks of the academic excellence of the institution". He said that he was certain BNU scholars will play their roles as effective agents of positive change in their professional lives. He said, "BNU has made its mark not only in Pakistan, but the region. With presence of students from SAARC countries, BNU is offering its academic expertise to neighbouring countries". He also appreciated BNU for offering scholarships to students as well as for inclusion of women and broadening their intellectual horizons. He emphasised on eradicating gender-based prejudices and ensuring equitable share for women.
The Vice Chancellor, Sartaj Aziz in his address presented an annual report on BNU's achievements. He said that BNU is Pakistan's first Liberal Arts University, which is emerging into a world-class private-sector institution. He said that BNU's cutting edge is its highly renowned and trained faculty and academic freedom given to its students.