LAHORE: (Web Desk) The University of Management and Technology (UMT) Lahore conferred degrees on 4,363 graduates during its 29th convocation, celebrating academic achievements while announcing new initiatives to expand artificial intelligence education, scholarships and career opportunities for young people.
The graduates included 3,570 bachelor’s degree holders, 21 master’s graduates, 723 MS/MPhil scholars and 49 PhD scholars. The university also awarded 62 gold medals and 68 silver medals to students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.
Additionally, 16 academic excellence gold awards, 13 certificates of excellence, five certificates of merit and six research publication awards were presented to deserving students.
UMT President Ibrahim Murad presided over the convocation ceremonies, which featured three sessions attended by Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser on Artificial Intelligence Ali Dar, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti as special guests.
UMT Offers Free AI Tutoring To Punjab Students
Addressing the first session, Ibrahim Murad described educated, skilled and talented young people as the country’s most valuable asset and a source of hope for its future.
He offered the Punjab government free access to UMT’s artificial intelligence technology, proposing round-the-clock AI tutoring and career guidance facilities for students across the province.
Murad said the university was prepared to provide free 24/7 AI tutors to support students in their academic pursuits and professional development.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Dar announced that the Punjab government would formally launch its Punjab AI Vision 2029 in November.
He said the provincial administration was working to integrate artificial intelligence into government departments and public services. He also proposed launching a dedicated AI fellowship programme in partnership with UMT.
Dar further stated that Punjab had established what he described as the world’s first AI-equipped delivery unit and was creating opportunities for young people to contribute to government-led artificial intelligence projects.
64 Per Cent UMT Students Receiving Scholarships
During the second session, Ibrahim Murad highlighted the university’s financial assistance initiatives, revealing that 64 per cent of its students were receiving scholarships in different forms.
He said UMT’s scholarship fund, known as the ILM Fund, had reached Rs20 billion, reflecting the institution’s commitment to making higher education accessible to deserving students.
Murad added that under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, UMT was contributing Rs1.13 billion to support 920 deserving students.
He said the university had established partnerships with more than 100 corporate organisations, providing students with opportunities for practical training, professional exposure and workplace experience.
Emphasising the importance of employability, Murad said education should go beyond academic qualifications and equip graduates with the practical abilities required to succeed in professional life.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat appreciated UMT’s contribution to higher education, describing its scholarship initiatives as an important step towards widening access to educational opportunities.
He stressed that practical skills were equally important alongside academic degrees and called for reducing the educational gap between public and private institutions.
Hayat said education remained a powerful means of creating equal opportunities and encouraged graduates to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of their parents and teachers.
UMT Announces Rs100 Million Scholarships For Balochistan
The third session was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti as the chief guest.
On the occasion, Ibrahim Murad announced an additional Rs100 million in scholarships for students from Balochistan.
He said UMT had already extended scholarships worth Rs572 million to students from the province over the past decade.
Murad emphasised that investment in education could transform society, promote leadership and enable young people to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He said Pakistan needed to invest in the knowledge, time and potential of its younger generation to secure a prosperous future.
Appreciating UMT’s support for students from Balochistan, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the institution’s scholarship initiatives as a valuable contribution to educational development.
He also highlighted national cohesion, rejecting perceptions that people in Balochistan harboured hostility towards Punjab or its residents.
Addressing the gathering in Lahore, Bugti said people from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shared mutual respect and affection, stressing that terrorists targeted innocent Pakistanis regardless of their religion or regional identity.
He maintained that terrorism had no religion or nationality and highlighted Balochistan’s traditions of hospitality and respect for guests.
Urging young people to reject violence, hatred and misleading propaganda, Bugti encouraged them to pursue education, knowledge and constructive opportunities.
He also said his government was facilitating access to international education for students from Balochistan, including opportunities at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Oxford universities.
The three convocation sessions concluded with the distribution of degrees, medals and academic awards among graduates. Ibrahim Murad also presented commemorative souvenirs to the distinguished guests.
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