Honorable Lt. General Khalid Maqbool, Governor of the Punjab, Patron of the GIFT University and Dear Parents On behalf of the Directors, Member Board of Governors, Faculty, Students and all other associates of the University, I am grateful to you, for gracing this occasion of the First Convocation of GIFT University.
The rapid progress made by the University, with in a short span of time, since its inception in September 2002, has been a landmark, as we have entered our fifth academic year. We are endeavoring hard to enhance the infrastructure of the University. We also plan to focus on research, innovative teaching strategies, international collaborations and linkages. Research has become a backbone of any country. But the fact is that all over the world, research-based institutions are funded by the Governments & Private sector.
GIFT University is striving hard to develop itself, as a research-based institution but I believe that, this cannot be attained without the patronage of the Government & industrialists of the country. I sometimes wonder, whether it is possible to tap, into the vast resources of the Muslim world.
Honorable Chief Guest,
Please let me quote some examples from United States of America. Where private sector joined hands to strengthen their country.
For example, "Rockefeller Research University" was established in 1906 by John. Rockefeller who "was the Capitalist and philanthropist". In 1945, Alfred P. Sloan and Charles F.Kettering, "who were also philanthropists and industrialists". Established, "Sloan Kettering institute" in New York city, It's Cancer Research Centre.
Honorable Governor Let me mention here, that 30 years ago, we didn't have the resources and had to work very hard, for establishing our business but our "Financial Constraints and hardships" were converted into aggression and vision to provide "Two High Quality Institutions" to this region with the name of GIFT University & Roshni Homes Trust".
Here, I want the business community to realize "what we have done in our native city, should have been carried out, long time ago by the affluent persons of this region, who had the resources and the means for this purpose. We have provided an educational institution, "for the daughters of this city, who in the past, had to leave, "their homes and parents" and go, elsewhere for their study. I believe, that the graduates from GIFT University are essential for the local and regional industries, which in turn, are important for the GIFT graduates. You will be pleased to know, that GIFT graduates are being offered, jobs by the leading multinational companies, such as telecom, Banks and the Textile Sector.
In the presence of the Honorable Patron, I would like to take this opportunity, to advise the students and their parents that before getting admission in any institution, "the validity of the degrees and the quality of the education must be considered". Because these 4 to 6 years are the most precious time of their life.
I assure you Sir
That no talented student is deprived of education, because of their financial constraints. Here, I feel proud to disclose that currently, 49% of the total students are enjoying scholarships, financial assistance and interest free loans. Further more; our scholarship ratio is much higher than the Higher Education Commission's guidelines.
At the End
I congratulate to our first ever graduates, with the hope, that they will prove themselves as market leaders, productive and responsible members of the global society.
