At the convocation of Federal Urdu University, students got empty envelopes, prompting Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori to deliver a sharp criticism in his speech.
In his address at the convocation on Tuesday, Kamran Tessori said, “The buildings of Federal Urdu University resemble ruins, and the envelopes being given to students as degrees are empty.”
Tessori added, “Perhaps the degrees haven’t been printed because the money wasn’t provided. This university should be called the Federal ‘helpless’ University.”
Criticizing the federal government, he remarked, “It seems the university will only be fixed when the word ‘Urdu’ is removed from its name. For years, degrees have not been distributed at this university. If this university were in Lahore, degrees would be distributed every year.”
Governor Sindh further noted that the deteriorating buildings of Urdu University are being presented under the university’s name. He mentioned that even the degrees distributed had empty envelopes, as the university couldn’t afford to print them.
Interestingly, at the start of his speech, Governor Sindh greeted Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Vice-Chancellor Khan Shinwari, and then asked, “Now, you decide whether I should deliver my speech here in writing or from the heart?”
He went on to criticize the university, stating that it was in such dire conditions that it seemed as if it would soon be run by a charitable organization. “I don’t know where this helpless university is being taken,” he added. He also referred to a claim made by a political party that promised to transform the Governor House into universities, but after three and a half years, nothing has been done.
It is worth noting that today marks the 13th year after the last convocation ceremony at the Federal Urdu University. This event will also be the university’s fifth annual awards ceremony, where 231 graduates will be conferred degrees. Additionally, 127 special awards will be presented to students for exceptional performance, with 97 receiving gold medals, 18 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals.
