|
'Knowledge-based
Industries Create One out of Four New Jobs'
A
blind female student was one of the 11 academic achievers who were
awarded gold medals at the 11th Academic Excellence Awards
Ceremony of Dhoraji Youth Services (DYS), held at KDA Lawns, Kashmir
Road, in Karachi.
A
large gathering of over 2,000 guests, parents and friends applauded
the 175 students for their achievements at Hafiz-e-Quran, matriculate,
intermediate, O and A-levels, graduate and postgraduate examinations.
The ceremony is held annually to honour the meritorious students
of the Dhoraji Memon Community.
The Chief Guest,
Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, S.I., President of Aga Khan University,
complimenting the students for their achievements, said, "Only 2.6%
of the 18 million youth in Pakistan between the ages of 17 and 23
go to higher education . you are the lucky ones. You have achieved
one milestone. This should not be seen as the end, but the start
of a new objective and continuous process of learning."
Life-long acquisition
of knowledge is the key to the knowledge-based global economy, explained
Dr. Kassim-Lakha. "Knowledge and information are drivers of the
new world .technology allows us to keep abreast of new developments."
Knowledge-based industries, he continued, are now the income generators
and major contributors to the world-economy, creating one out of
every four new jobs. He said the economy of today requires adaptability,
multitasking and continuous learning, and urged the students that,
along with their specialised learning, they should also take courses
in the liberal arts - history, philosophy, geography, fine arts
- to develop themselves "as a whole person .a critical thinker." This would allow them to approach problems from a wider, multi-dimensional
viewpoint that results in better decisions and better solutions.
Underscoring
the importance of meritocracy and excellence, Dr. Kassim-Lakha said
one person's excellence would foster excellence among others, leading
to the growth of excellence in the community. He lauded the Memon
community's contributions to Pakistan in industry and professional
services, and highlighted the contribution of its educational institutions.
He
also assured that in keeping with His Highness the Aga Khan's vision
of AKU as a national resource, the University, will provide support
and guidance to the Community's educational and health programmes.
In his welcome
address, Dr. Amin Suria, President of DYS, recalled his two-decade-long
association with Aga Khan University and Dr. Shamsh-Kassim-Lakha.
A DYS progress report was also read out, highlighting the past year's
performance and plans for the future including projects on women's
development, information technology and higher education. It made
special reference to the valuable support received by the DYS from
AKU in its health and educational programmes.
|
