SZABMU holds fourth convocation, awards degrees to 800 graduates

ISLAMABAD: The fourth convocation of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University was held on Saturday at the Jinnah Convention Centre, where over 2,000 students and their families attended the ceremony in a dignified and celebratory atmosphere.

Around 800 graduates were awarded degrees in various disciplines, including 140 postgraduate students in PhD, MPhil, MDS, MS, MD and Basic Medical Sciences, 400 MBBS graduates, 100 BDS graduates, and 150 graduates from DPT, Allied Health Sciences and Nursing programmes. Medals were also conferred upon high-achieving students in recognition of their academic excellence.

Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf attended the ceremony as nominee of Chancellor Asif Ali Zardari and distributed degrees and gold medals among distinction holders.

Addressing the graduates, Ashraf said young doctors represent the future of Pakistan’s healthcare system, emphasising that research, competence and integrity are the fundamental pillars of success in medical education. He also highlighted the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in modern learning and urged graduates to embrace innovation and lifelong learning.

He appreciated the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq, noting that the university continues to achieve significant milestones. “Graduates today are not merely receiving degrees; they are assuming a national responsibility,” he said, adding that doctors serve as ambassadors of humanity, ethics and service.

In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq said the university has evolved into a key institution for medical education and research over the past decade, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and impactful research to meet emerging national and global health challenges.

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Ashraf also assured support for allocating land and establishing a purpose-built campus for the university, expressing confidence that it would soon emerge as one of the leading medical institutions in the country.

The oath was administered to graduating students by Dr. Afsheen Masnoor, Controller of Examinations, marking their formal transition into professional life.

Among the gold medallists were Dr. Sohail Sabir, Dr. Faiza Rehman, Fatima Jaweria, Usama Khalil Qadri, Shafaq Maqsood, Fazeela Tahir, Sidra Tayyab, Rabia Shahbaz, Fatima Humayune, Rimsha Shehnaz, Ayesha Naeem, Rehana Tabassum, Dr. Muhammad Shais Khan, Dr. Bushra Anam Ali, Shuraym Ashraf Ghouri, Hareem Binte Saleem, Arzu Fatima, Shagufta Yaqoob, Syeda Jawairiya Mukarram, Laiba Shameem, Farah Naz, Iffat Maqbool, Sehar Kanwal, Nighat Saeed, Amna Shafi, Laraib Abbas and Ameera Shahid, who were recognised for their outstanding academic performance.