LAHORE: The 28th convocation of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) conferred degrees on over 900 students of various degree programmes on Monday. The graduating students belonged to different departments of LUMS including Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS), Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) and Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL). The management awarded the students with awards and medals over excellence in their academic performances. Renowned economist and diplomat Dr Shamshad Akhtar was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. On the occasion, LUMS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sohail Naqvi, parents, students, the LUMS management committee members, trustees and people from different walks of life were present. Addressing the audience on the occasion, Dr Shamshad Akhtar said, “Graduation is a major milestone in the lives of all students. It marks your transition from academia to a world which is full of opportunities and temptations, but which is also competitive and demanding. Your success will depend on the choices you make, your conduct, as well as how well you harness your skills and abilities to deal with challenges and cope with risks. As you enter into workforce, you will realise that education never ends because knowledge is not static but continues to evolve. As the saying goes: A lifelong learner is a lifelong winner.” In his welcome address, Naqvi congratulated the graduating class and said, “This degree that you will hold in your hand, certifies you as captains of your own unique ship. Where you decide to head is your choice and should you decide to build a new ship later; that is your prerogative too. We can vouch today that you have the skills and confidence to do that.” On the occasion, the LUMS vice chancellor also gave the audience a detailed briefing about the latest developments at LUMS like the Asifa-Irfan Moot Court Room at the Law School, the placements of the graduates at renowned institutes and organisations, new initiatives like the Saida Waheed Gender Initiative and academic collaborations with the University of Cambridge and University of Michigan, initiation of the Water Informatics and Technology Centre and the Biomechanics Laboratory at SBASSE and the business school’s accreditation by AACSB.