LAHORE: Up to 577 baccalaureates and 88 masters and MPhil scholars were awarded degrees at a ceremony titled `Commencement-2014` by the Forman Christian College (A Chartered University)hereonSaturday.

Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed addressing the ceremony said he believed the youth would improve the current situation of the country and help turn it into a prosperous nation.

Besides a large number of students and their family members, FCC Rector Dr James A Tebbe, President of the Formanite Alumni Association Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed, Vice Rector (Intermediate) Dr CJ Dubash, Associate Vice Rector Dr Sufian Aslam and Registrar and Director Commencement Dr Hamid Saeed were also present.

Dr (honorary) Ahmad Saeed urged the graduates to always live by the two principles of integrity and courage.

In his concluding address, the FCC Rector Dr James A Tebbe announced that this Commencement marked the culmination of Forman Christian College`s year-long 150th anniversary celebrations.

He said they were now alumni of one of the oldest educational institutionsnot just in Pakistan, but the Subcontinent. Tens of thousands of students had graduated before them.

`While faculty and staff try to keep this legacy alive, it is you the alumni who take it forward,` he told the graduates.

`It is now your turn to achieve and give back to the Pakistan and the world.

Earlier the graduate valedictory speech was given by Ms Hijab Javed, who had a CGPA of 3.97. Ms Amina Qadir, and MPhil graduate, gave the postgraduate valedictory address and Monim Khan Niazi gave the salutatory.

In addition, 21 medals were awarded to graduates for achievements in their disciplines in the Baccalaureate programme and 13 Certificates of Distinction were awarded to top postgraduates.

Ten students were awarded roll of honour for outstanding performance in co-curricular activities.

Other award winners at the convocation were Dr Mian Wajahat Hussain, chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences, who was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award; Sharoon Javed from the Academic Office who was awarded the Outstanding Customer Service Award (administrative) and Sarfraz Alfred, ground staff supervisor, was awarded Outstanding Customer Service Award (non-administrative).