Mir Hassan & Ali Abbas
Once Robert Orben, an American Writer, said, “A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that individuality is the key to success.”
On the morning of 19th December 2024 in Quetta Balochistan, a momentous event took place, one that would be a pivotal moment in the life of many, potentially a harbinger of further phenomenal academic achievements within the region. Anticipating a future of innovation, development, growth, and prosperity, BUITEMS University, Quetta, proudly celebrated its 20th convocation on December 19th.
Established in 2002 in Quetta, the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), has been a leading institution in providing IT education within Quetta city, and is known for its modern infrastructure and facilities. Since its establishment, BUITEMS has been providing undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a variety of fields, such as engineering, IT, Management, and Natural and Social sciences.
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Overtime as the institute grew in scope and size, new departments were created and new courses offered, and as of 2024, BUITEMS stands as the second largest university within Balochistan, centered on a strong emphasis on research and development, and with a dedicated aim to empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in not only their professional life, but social and personal life as well, and to this end, works with dedication and commitment to bridge the educational gaps in the province through scholarships (such as merit-based, BEEF, Ehsaas, etc.) and internships programs to ensure the students from all backgrounds can indulge in their educational activities without any socio-economic barriers stopping them, and with collaborations with national as well as international organizations, the university has been ensuring to contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic growth as well.
The BUITEMS 20th convocation, marked a momentous occasion, illuminating the academic excellence and resilience of students within Balochistan, and saw approximately 700 graduates starting a new chapter of their lives including students who had completed their PhD, MS, and BS programs. The convocation celebrated not only the individual achievements of students, but also the achievements of the institution and its bodies towards the betterment of Pakistan, from more scholarships and opportunities for students and undergraduates to providing training and research on solving national issues and challenges, and the future prospects of continuing and increasing their efforts even more, to serve the growth and development of Balochistan.
The ceremony itself took place within the university’s grand auditorium known as “ArfaKarim Auditorium”, with the inside adorned with banners of varying colors and letters, representing the various faculties of BUITEMS. Aside from undergraduate and graduate students of BS and MS programs, some distinguished graduates had earned their PhD degrees. The university’s chancellor, along with other esteemed faculty members and guests such as the Vice Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor, conferred degrees upon the graduates, with momentous applause from teary-eyed parents and family members observing the procession in an atmosphere of pride, joy, and hope, bearing witness to the transformative power that education beheld.
Furthermore, honorary degrees were also awarded to the families of students who had passed away before completing their degrees, and in a poignant and heartfelt moment, the recipients could not hold back tears amidst the standing ovation from the attending graduates and guests alike. This underscores the university’s deep commitment to recognizing the sacrifices and dreams of its students, and their families, showing that any contribution to education shall never go unacknowledged. The event also served as a monument to the goal of equity and equality by the university, making strides towards gender equality and equity, as a significant portion of the graduates were women.
The significance and importance of this event are not merely limited to the academic sector and extend far beyond the academic realm, as the 700 graduating men and women are undoubtedly poised to bring transformation, growth, and development to their communities by contributing their expertise and utilizing their knowledge and skills they have gained. This event, and the graduation of 700 students, represent a beacon of hope and progress for Balochistan, a province that has long grappled with challenges such as low literacy rates, limited access to quality education, economic marginalization, and underdevelopment.
These graduates will have the opportunities as well as the ability to assist, or even lead, in the drive towards development and betterment of the region and in the field they are serving in, for example, the graduates who would enter the fields of engineering and IT will have the potential to drive infrastructure development and technological innovation, critical for the economic upliftment of the region. Those in management and social sciences will be equipped to address pressing governance and social issues plaguing the country, promoting effective policy-making as well as community development. Moreover, the contributions of PhD scholars in research and academia are expected to inspire a whole new generation of learners and researchers within Balochistan to follow in their footsteps.
The impact of BUITEMS 20th Convocation is not merely confined to Balochistan either, as the graduates will be playing pivotal roles in Pakistan’s national progress and evolution. These graduates will reinforce the country’s foundations for growth and development by utilizing their skills and abilities, such as graduates of social sciences addressing regional disparities and policy issues, graduates of engineering, and information technology contributing to innovation and technical expertise, and graduates of management sciences addressing economic and policy issues as well as contributing to diverse industries. These graduates will bring fresh skills and perspectives to industries ranging from technology to management as they join the workforce, and their participation in Pakistan’s economic and social systems will help create greater national cohesion and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
This prestigious event also serves as a powerful inspirational moment for students across not just Balochistan, but Pakistan as a whole. The stories of resilience, hard work, and achievement shared during the ceremony resonate deeply with aspiring students, encouraging them to pursue higher education in spite of the challenges they may face. The presence of important personalities such as the vice-chancellor, and their encouragement of the graduating students further bolstered the resolve of graduates and emphasized the vital role education plays in transforming societies and building prosperous futures.
All in all, the BUITEMS 20th Convocation was more than a mere ceremonial event, it was a celebration of hope, resilience, achievement, hard work, passion, knowledge, and above all, it was a celebration of our youth. It reflected the ability of education to transform lives and communities and underscored the critical role that educational institutions (such as BUITEMS) play in shaping the future of not just Balochistan or Pakistan, but of the entire world. As the graduates would soon step into their new roles as professionals, leaders, innovators, builders, managers, etc. they will carry the torch of progress and enlightenment with them, casting light on and illuminating a path of prosperity for generations to come.
Mir Hassan is a Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, FMS, BUITEMS. He can be reached at [email protected].
Ali Abbas is an alumnus of the Department of Public Administration, FMS, BUITEMS.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the writer and Balochistan Voices does not necessarily agree with them.
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