ISLAMABAD: As many as 286 students were awarded degrees along with 23 gold medals in various disciplines at the 19th convocation of National University of Modern Languages (Numl) on Saturday.

At the convocation held at Numl, Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Mohammad Afridi was the chief guest. Re ctor Major General Mohammad Jaffar, pro-rectors, deans, registrar, directors, heads of departments and a large number ofstudents and their parents attended the convocation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi congratulated the students, parents and teachers on the successful completion of degrees in various disciplines.

He stressed the importance of time and knowledge and said students are the future asset of Pakistan, and they should play their due role for the progressand prosperity of the motherland.

He said all graduates must realise how lucky they were to be educated in an institution like Numl and appreciated their parents for choosing the best possible institution for them.

Earlier, the university`s rector highlighted the achievements and contributions made by Numl in various fields of education. He said Numl had over 300 PhD faculty members and the number was consistently growing.

He highlighted the social outreach programmes and the students support programme where over 1,900 students were awarded various scholarships worth Rs112 million in the last one year. He hoped that Numl`s graduates will serve the nation to their full capacity and change the country and society for the better.

Teaching and learning awards The Millennium Institute ofProfessional Development (MIPD) and Department of International Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessments at the Millennium Education Group organised a teaching and learning excellence awards ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Prof Quintin McKellar heightened the multifarious responsibility of teachers in an era of interconnected dimensions and emphasised that flexibility, opportunity and community were the basic components for excellence in education.

Dr Faisal Mushtaq, founder and CEO the Millennium Education Group, congratulated the awardees and celebrated their endeavours for achieving outstanding results within their disciplines which reflects their commitment to an ongoing, clearly articulated, shared process of continued enhancement.