On June 1, 2024, Habib University held its 7th Convocation Ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024. The event marked the graduation of the University’s seventh cohort alongside the 10th anniversary of Habib University, Pakistan’s leading liberal arts and sciences university.
We honored the academic achievement, resilience, and determination of the Class of 2024, who began their educational journey online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then adapted to in-person learning with remarkable determination.
The 7th convocation ceremony of Habib University’s Class of 2024 welcomed distinguished guests, faculty, and graduates who gathered in the grand arena, donning their regalia and brimming with anticipation for the momentous occasion ahead. The evening commenced with a procession led by Ishtiyaq Makda, Associate Dean for Academic Systems and University Registrar. Chancellor Rafiq M. Habib officially declared the convocation event open.
Waqar Saleem, Associate Professor of Computer Science, and Rohama Malik, Assistant Professor of Communication and Design, served as the MoCs. The convocation day proceedings began with the valedictorian address delivered by Qaima Hossain, our Comparative Humanities alumnus from the Class of 2024.
Qaima began by addressing her peers, remarking on the profound impact their academic journey has had on their collective outlook, stating, “Our majors have equipped us with varying forms of knowledge, but we all share a unique attunement to melancholy. This constant awareness of the grief and hardship shaping our worlds compels us to imagine and work towards better futures.”
This was followed by inspiring speeches from key figures, emphasizing the importance of resilience and humanity in today’s world. Founding President Wasif A. Rizvi, in his speech, encouraging the Class of 2024 to embrace lifelong learning and reflection said, “In this violent and vacuous world, it will be unimaginably hard to live by Yohsin, to stay conscious and alive day in and day out. But for those who are inspired by Yohsin, there’s a clear path to keep striving for it.”
President Rizvi also thanked the Mohsineen of Habib University for their pivotal role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds. He highlighted their remarkable support for Habib University and its students, noting that 87% of the graduating class was on some form of scholarship or financial aid. Visionary leaders including Mohamed Bashir, Chairman of Gul Ahmed Textiles, Shahbaz Yasin Malik, President & CEO of Hilton Pharma, Nargis Soorty of Soorty Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., and Arif Habib, Chairman of Arif Habib Group were recognized for their crucial contributions.
The commencement speaker, Kamil Khan Mumtaz, a renowned architect and educator, urged the graduates to give back to their community, society, and country, reinforcing the values of service and commitment.
As the university convocation progressed, a total of 91 graduates from the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering and 97 students from the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences received their degrees from President Rizvi. The awarding of degrees brought immense pride and joy to the graduates and their families.
Chancellor Rafiq M. Habib encouraged the graduates to apply the lessons they learned during their undergraduate experience as they move forward in their lives. The evening’s highly anticipated moment was the announcement of the Chancellor’s Yohsin Medal, honoring outstanding achievements from the Class of 2024. The award recipient, Areeb Adnan Khan, a BSCE major, represented Habib University and Pakistan at UAE COP28 with his research project IntelliCorp28, which focused on advancing agricultural technology.
The ceremony concluded with Habib’s Anthem, written by Inamullah Nadeem and performed by the HU Orchestra. After which, Chancellor Rafiq M. Habib formally declared the convocation event closed, and the academic procession departed.
Habib University’s 7th Convocation was a celebration of academic achievements, as well as a reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to academic exploration, exchange of ideas, and providing the best undergraduate experience. As the graduates embark on their future endeavors, they embody the values of resilience, service, and lifelong learning, ready to make meaningful contributions to society and the global community.
