A CEREMONY TO BID FAREWELL AND HONOR PROF MUNAZZA IQBAL, DEAN BASIC SCIENCES/DEAN UNDERGRADUATE/CHAIRPERSON DEPARTMENT OF PA,FJMU, LAHORE.

Prominent figures such as Ms. Shehla Javed Akram, the Founder of Women Chamber of Commerce, Prof. Mahmood Ayaz, Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University, Prof. Zafar Ali Chaudhry, Vice Chancellor of Faisalabad Medical University, and former Vice Chancellors Prof. Aamer Zaman Khan, Prof. Shamsa Humayun, and Prof. Shireen Khawar, were also present. Additionally, Prof. Abdul Majeed Chaudhry, Principal of Lahore Medical and Dental College, Prof. Dr. Sardar Muhammad Al Farid Zafar, Principal of Ameer Ud Din Medical College, Prof. Abrar Ashraf, Prof. Ayesha Shoukat, Dr. Fayyaz Ranjha, and members of the Association of Fatima Jinnah Old Graduates, Prof. Nazifa Ahmed and Dr. Musrat Nisar, participated as guests of honor.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal, along with the Deans and faculty, warmly welcomed the distinguished guests at the Academic Council Meeting held earlier. On this occasion, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Kamran Khalid Khawaja; Principal Prof. Dr. Noreen Akmal; Registrar Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nadeem; Dean Undergraduate Prof. Ayesha Malik, Dean Nursing/Chairperson Medicine/Director Quality Enhancement Cell Prof. Bilquis Shabbir; Dean Prof. Abdul Hameed, Dean Preventive Prof. Naveed Akbar Hotiana, all members of the Academic Council, and a large number of faculty attended. All expressed their well wishes, prayer, and beautiful words of appreciation for Prof. Munazza Iqbal.

The official ceremony was held in the auditorium. Principal FJMU Prof. Noreen Akmal, delivered a brief welcome address, expressing gratitude to all the distinguished guests. She highlighted Prof. Munazza Iqbal’s commendable service of over 35 years to the institution.

Prof. Shabnam Bashir spoke about Prof. Munazza Iqbal’s qualities as a compassionate leader, mentor, and supportive woman, expressing her gratitude for the support she received.

Prof. Bilquis Shabbir congratulated Prof. Munazza Iqbal on achieving this landmark in life and informed the attendees about FJMU’s international rankings and achievements. She mentioned that the university ranked among the top 800 to 1000 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact (THE) ranking, securing the first position among medical universities in Punjab and the third position among all medical universities in Pakistan. FJMU was also recognized in the World University Real Impact (WURI) ranking as one of the top 200–300 most modern universities globally and one of the top 10 universities in Pakistan. Furthermore, FJMU became a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN) in 2023.

Prof. Mahmood Ayaz, Prof. Zafar Ali Chaudhry, Prof. Aamer Zaman Khan, Prof. Shamsa Humayun, Prof. Shireen Khawar, Prof. Abdul Majeed Chaudhry, Prof. Nazifa Ahmed, Dr. Musrat Nisar, Ms. Shehla Javed Akram, and Prof. Ayesha Shoukat extended their

and best wishes to Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal and Prof. Munazza Iqbal.

Dr. Jamal Nasir, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Punjab, praised the services of Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal and expressed his hopes for a successful future for Prof. Munazza Iqbal’s children, in both this world and the hereafter. He also urged retired professors to consider serving the less fortunate after retirement.

Prof. Javed Akram, the Health Minister of Punjab, congratulated Prof. Munazza Iqbal on her retirement and expressed his admiration for the tribute she received. He highlighted that the government has approved serving for two more years after the age of 60, acknowledging the irreplaceable loss of Prof. Munazza Iqbal. He praised the professors who shared their views about her and emphasized her unparalleled services to Fatima Jinnah Medical University. Prof. Javed Akram prayed for her continued success and recommended her as a Professor Emeritus of her alma mater, while also expressing his hope that she would continue serving society in the future. In addition, Dr. Shahla Javed Akram, the former president of the Women Chamber of Commerce, announced a lifetime achievement award for Prof. Munazza Iqbal on behalf of the chamber.

Prof. Munazza Iqbal expressed her gratitude to all the distinguished guests for their presence at the ceremony. She acknowledged her professional beginnings at Fatima Jinnah Medical College and attributed her success to the values instilled in her by her parents, such as honesty, compassion, and good manners. She shared her childhood aspiration of becoming a doctor and thanked Allah Almighty for granting her success in achieving that goal. Prof. Munazza Iqbal expressed her deep appreciation for the support of her husband, Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, and the prayers of her parents, which played a significant role in her journey. She conveyed her commitment to dedicating her future life to preparing for the hereafter.

Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, in his address, extended his gratitude to all the distinguished guests. He recognized the pivotal role played by Prof. Munazza Iqbal as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and professional throughout her life. He attributed his own achievements as Vice Chancellor of three universities to the pleasant atmosphere created by Prof. Munazza Iqbal at home. Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal emphasized the importance of praying for parents, the education of children, and the well-being of this world and the hereafter. He expressed his pride in the collaborative efforts of the team at Fatima Jinnah Medical University for the institution’s development. Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal concluded by expressing his heartfelt thanks to all the distinguished guests for their presence at the ceremony.

As part of the ceremony, Health Minister Punjab Prof. Dr. Javed Akram presented a check of Rs. 1 Lakh to Dr. Fakhira Anwar, who received the best graduate award from FJMU in the 2023 convocation.

The ceremony concluded with the cutting of Prof. Munazza Iqbal’s birthday cake and the distribution of shields to honor her achievements by the faculty.