MUET Water Center Celebrates 1st Graduation Ceremony

Vice Chancellor Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Uqaili said that learning is an unending process which leads to knowing oneself, the neighbors and the world around to bring the prosperity in the life of common people. While talking in the 4th session of 21st Convocation and 1st Graduation Ceremony held on Monday, at the auditorium hall of U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) of MUET, Dr. Uqaili said that the universities are now working on Quadruple Helix Model, involves academia, industry, government and communities to integrate the efforts to bring the positive change in the lives of the society. He said that academic and research programs at USPCAS-W were well aligned with the market needs and the MS and Ph.D. scholars were properly guided adequately trained and mentored to meet the needs of the water sector in the country. He said that around 70% of the students who are receiving degrees today are being provided jobs in different organizations and three students got admission in different universities in the USA on scholarship. Dr. Uqaili said that three years back the MUET was selected to establish national water research center with the financial support of American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to contribute solutions to Pakistan’s water-related challenges by educating and training the next generation of water sustainability leaders.

He said that apart from the academic program, USPCAS-W focuses on applied research in the water sector and in this connection, the National Water Research Network (NWRN) has been established for joint consultation and undertakings and for collaborative activities under the umbrella of the Water Center. He said that the Center lays major focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG6 “to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. “MUET Water Center is helping Government of Sindh in providing safe and clean drinking water”, he added. Dr. Uqaili thanked USAID, the University of Utah for providing technical support to the Center, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Government of Sindh and other organization for their generous support for the Center. US Consul General Karachi Grace W. Shelton while speaking as a guest of honor in the ceremony said that the America people believe in strengthening bilateral relations with their Pakistani counterparts and strongly supported in education and research sectors of the country. She said that the graduating students will serve water leaders and ambassadors of US-Pakistan Water Center and will be proved the source of inspiration for the coming students. She further said that the water leaders will utilize their skills and expertise solving the water challenges faced by Pakistan. She thanked MUET administration, federal and provincial governments, the University of Utah, HEC Pakistan for supporting this Center.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri said that the management at the University of Utah always pleased to support in advancing the development and sustainability of the Center. In this connection, he mentioned the supportive and dedicated role of Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Chaudhry, the research professor at the University of Utah and the Chief of Party of the Water Center. Quoting Aristotle, Dr. Banuri said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit”. He said that now the sustainability of the Center lays on the shoulders of the graduating students who ultimate have to serve the community by acquired skills and expertise in the water sector. Sharing the experiences, the graduating student Sohail Raza Langah said that USPCAS-W MUET is truly a national center which has provided him an exciting opportunity to interact and work together with the students from various parts of the Country. He said that the unique feature of the Center for him was an exchange training program at the University of Utah USA which was to provide the world-class learning experience to prepare students and faculty to serve as the next generation of water professionals to help Pakistan resolving water challenges with technical, non-technical, and cross-cultural experiences. Mr. Langah informed that 31 students out of 40 from the 1st batch availed the exchange opportunity by spending one semester at University of Utah, USA. In the graduation ceremony of the Center, the degrees were conferred on over 31 MS Scholars of the first batch.

While on outstanding performances Ms. Iram Sifat, Mr. Danyal Aziz, both from Environment Engineering and Mr. Daniyal Hassan from Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) were presented memorable shields and the certificates of merit. On this occasion, MUET Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Uqaili and Project Director USPCAS-W Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari presented the traditional gifts and the shields to the honorable guests in the ceremony. MUET Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tahua Hussain Ali, MUET Pro-Vice Chancellor at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus Khairpur Prof. Dr. Mukhtiar Ali Unar, Deans of different faculties include Prof. Dr. Khan Muhammad Brohi, Prof. Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rahman Memon, Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Prof. Dr. Abdul Sami Qureshi, MUET Registrar Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed Umrani, Controller of Examinations Mr. Suhail Ahmed Khatian, senior faculty members participated in the 4th session of 21st convocation of the University. Whereas, Nisar A. Memon, former senator and Chairman Water Environment Forum, Pro-Vice Chancellor LUMHS Dr. Anila Attaur Rehman, Prof. Dr. Sajjad Ahmad from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Founder Hisaar Foundation Simi Kamal, Former Vice President FPCCI Waseem Ahmed Vohra, Dr. Sono Kangrani of TRDP, Dr. Fateh Mari, Project Coordinator WSIP Sindh, Mr. Suleman G. Abro of SAWFCO, Mr. Ashfaq Soomro of RDF, Civil Society activist Zulfiqar Halepoto, and other notables from academia, water industries and consultancies firms, parents of the graduating students attended the ceremony.