In a grand ceremony marking academic excellence, around 5000 students received their degrees at the 22nd Convocation of Iqra University (IU) being held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the PAF Museum, Karachi.
The event was graced by distinguished guests including Mr. Shaikh Kaiser Waheed, President Medisure Laboratories and Mr. Usman Asif – Founder & CEO at Devsinc as Guests of Honor, Mr. Naveed Lakhani, Chairman of Hussain Lakhani Group, Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Vice Chancellor of Iqra University, along with board members, academicians, industry leaders, and proud parents.
While addressing the graduates, Mr. Usman Asif, Founder of Pakistan’s fastest growing IT company, delivered an inspiring message, urging them to take charge of their destinies. He began by sharing one of his core life lessons: “Don’t chase the dream—become the dream.” He encouraged the graduates to build their own dreams, reflecting on his journey as an engineer who dared to pursue his aspirations and founded a company that grew from 5 to 2000 employees.
He further highlighted the transformative potential of AI and encouraged graduates to adapt, innovate, and embrace this revolution in their respective fields. “Don’t wait for change, create a revolution,” he advised.
Around 23 outstanding graduates across various disciplines were awarded gold medals.
The event also acknowledged outstanding achievements and contributions of faculty members who have excelled in their respective fields throughout the year. A total of 8 faculty members were presented awards as ‘University Best Teacher’ and ‘University Best Researcher’ including Dr. Salima Ahsan Tejani who was also crowned as the ‘Best Teacher’ by Higher Education Commission (HEC), and Dr. Mufti Nisar Akhtar who had received ‘National Seerat Presidential Award’ earlier.
Welcoming the guests and congratulating the graduates, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram highlighted the university’s achievements, stating, “I am delighted to share that Iqra University continues to be a leading institution in Pakistan. Our rise to rank 276, improving by 48 places, and achieving the first position in research citations among South Asia’s top 75 universities reflects our commitment to quality education. We have expanded our horizons with new campus developments and enhanced infrastructure along with introducing 11 new academic programs. Taking inspiration from the Governor’s initiative, we have launched comprehensive IT and entrepreneurship trainings. Moreover, to ensure our graduates are industry-ready, we maintain a year-round focus on employability through recruitment drives, career talks, and job fairs. These initiatives, combined with our students’ achievements in various sports with 94 medals, showcase our commitment to holistic development and academic excellence.”
As the event drew to a close, it marked not just the end of an academic journey but the beginning of a new chapter for thousands of graduates. With its steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation, Iqra University continues to set new benchmarks in higher education, preparing graduates who are ready to meet global challenges while contributing to national development.
