“Why I refused the Naval Chief” – A Female Student of Bahria University

[Rank]

It was just few days ago, Bahria University hosted its annual convocation ceremony. Like always, it was a modest event in terms of arrangements but it surely will remain “once in a life time” experience for hundreds of graduating students and their guests.

Bahrians, wearing gowns and scholarly caps, marched on to the stage to receive the fruit of their four years intense toil from one of the most powerful personalities in the country but this time a female student refused to accept her degree.

Xnews Team reached out to the student to find out the whole story. The purpose of sharing the story with the readers is to bring into light a case where a student stands for right but unfortunately, her “own people” stand against her.

Here is her story:

Ladies and Gentlemen…..The Procession.…Please Rise!… echoed the announcement made by the Master of the ceremony in the aesthetically decorated Islamabad Convention Centre to mark the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Bahria University Islamabad. Everyone rose, lip-synching the National Anthem and there entered the Chief Guest, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandhila, flanked by the Rector and others, all dressed up in Graduation robes & funny head gears. Somewhat indifferent parents seated in the gallery, including my father and brother, waiting only to see their loved ones proudly walk that stage.

As proceedings of the convocation ceremony moved forth systematically, my mind was simply not at ease. Standing in that queue with the rest of my batch mates, waiting for my name to be called out, I wondered about the acceptance of my hard-earned degree from an Admiral who was unabashedly going to deny me the academic Gold Medal in front of the entire august gathering. A medal I was destined for having the highest graduating GPA, and was being denied based on grounds outright unheard of. At the same time, I could still picture my meager application voicing this injustice, buried somewhere among other parchments in the pending items tray of the very same Admiral for the past 8 days, simply buying time till it was “mistakenly” tossed out as mere trash.

To give a brief context of the preceding events, I received news regarding the University’s much-awaited convocation ceremony earlier this month. Like most students, I too was thrilled about the event especially when I knew I was going to walk out as a Gold Medalist. Shockingly, I came to know of someone else’s selection for the coveted prize, despite his lower academic standing. At that moment, if hearsay was to be believed, I caught wind of the fact that since I had rescheduled a subject back in the first semester (Fall 2006), utilizing an academic facility given to the students by the University itself, I do not remain eligible for any honor, let alone the Gold Medal.

Immensely frustrated, I began the untiring efforts to fight for what I truly deserved. On the 9th of December’2011, I put an application before the Head of Department (HoD) Electrical Engineering, in an attempt to find an official elucidation to being refused the Gold Medal. Not only did I manage to get a few favorable nods & common points of agreement, but he was also kind enough to show some resolve to take up the matter with ‘higher authorities’.

Since then, it was simply an uphill battle. I left no stone unturned, no door unopened from the HoD till the highest university authorities, until a concrete reason for the denial of my right to the Honor was provided. Disappointingly, after a week, the University was only able to conjure up the following excuse:

‘Request has been rejected on the grounds that the Academic Council revised in 2009, conditions for Gold Medals’.

Thereby unfairly victimizing me by a rule established in 2009, for a degree I commenced back in 2006.

With only days to go till the convocation, I knocked on the doors of both the Pro-Rector and Rector of the University. Sadly, they could not be bothered less with the severe injustice being dealt to me, showing absolute disregard to the long hours I spent outside their offices with my father, waiting in hope, simply to be heard out. After an extensive homework, sadly they couldn’t justify their stance. Ultimately, both were of the opinion that the decision happened to be “too complex” for them and unfortunately they left it up to the Academic Council which would convene after the Graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, another application addressed directly to the Naval Chief for the very same reason, still remained in progress, despite the urgency of the matter.

It wasn’t long before I found myself on the grand stage, facing the very same Chief who was “too occupied” to reply to my application despite constant reminders. All those times I used to think of graduation speeches and the uncertainty pertaining to saying the right things & calling the right names, gushed through my mind. At that very instant it struck me – I knew exactly what I needed to say! Armed with a rush of adrenaline, I spoke:

“Assallam-u-Alaikum Sir. My name is Anber Javed”

“Yes I know of your case for the Gold Medal”

“Sir I believe I have been unfairly denied of it”

“It is as per the Rules. The Academic Council will decide”

“Sir, you have been misinformed of the rules. The correct rules were already in the Rector’s knowledge. Also if the Academic Council had to decide eventually, why has the University given its verdict already?”

No response.

Finally, I mustered the courage to say out loud:

“Sir, if you think this piece of paper is your acknowledgement of my 4years of hard work, I am sorry I refuse to take it”.

Stunned by my discourtesy and refusal to accept the degree, the discomfort on Admiral’s face was clearly evident. What followed was the distinct shuffle of nearby security commandos and Rector’s murmuring into the Chief’s ear. As a result, the Chief, due to his high stature, sought it inappropriate to congratulate me, or at the very least, mutter a few words of encouragement to acknowledge my efforts, let alone give my plea a fair chance.

That is the last I heard from them.

Six days after the event, I stand here dejected, with nothing to show for all my efforts. An event I wanted to celebrate with all my friends and family to commemorate those beautiful years of University life merely left me wondering about the worth of hard work and determination in the present educational system…

Long Live Bahria University!

By Anber Javed.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Pretty immature thing to do, she could have gone to courts after academic councils decission.

 

[AUz]

She was denied degree just cuz she protested and didn't accept it from naval Chief? WTF ?!?!

 

[Awesome]

I fully support her decision, the student is always screwed by "changing rules". IMO the rules that apply to a student should always be as of his/her enrollment and any change in rules need to be accepted by the student in writing before they become applicable. Thereby giving the student a chance to accept favorable changes only.

Studentship is a tough process and in Pakistan we need to encourage students to excel not impede their growth by stupid bureaucracy. Naval Chief has dropped the ball on this one by refusing to help her out.

 

[Thorough Pro]

She was denied degree just cuz she protested and didn't accept it from naval Chief? WTF ?!?!

She was not denied, she rfused to accept it, “Sir, if you think this piece of paper is your acknowledgement of my 4years of hard work, I am sorry I refuse to take it”.

is the exact wording she used.

Protest gets you knowwhere, She applied to apppropriate people, and whenn he said taht I know your case, it will be decided by thhe academic Council, she should have waited it's decission and then had th eoption to go to court.

Now what does she have? She wasted her otherwise excellent effort by becoming emotinal. she probably was successful in creating a scene at the ceremmony, then what? People will forget it in a few weeks, but she ruined her career.

 

[RazPaK]

She should have waited it out. The girl was too impulsive perhaps because she was nervous. Now all off her hard work and complaints went down the drain. Best of wishes to her though.

 

[OrionHunter]

Was she refused the gold medal just because she was a woman? Now, if that's true, it sucks! I can't believe this. Looks like men are more equal than women. Whatever happened to women's rights in Pakistan? Numerically the women in Pakistan are almost equal to men. They are equal in potential as the men. Pakistani women live in the most diversified locations of the tribal, feudal or urban environments where they can be highly qualified and self-confident professionals. Women are even fighter pilots in the PAF!

And seeing that Pakistan was the first country in the Muslim world that had elected a woman as its prime minister twice, it is surprising why a qualified woman was denied an award she rightfully earned by dint of sheer hard work? Or am I missing something here?

 

[Zarvan]

It was just few days ago, Bahria University hosted its annual convocation ceremony. Like always, it was a modest event in terms of arrangements but it surely will remain “once in a life time” experience for hundreds of graduating students and their guests.

Bahrians, wearing gowns and scholarly caps, marched on to the stage to receive the fruit of their four years intense toil from one of the most powerful personalities in the country but this time a female student refused to accept her degree.

Xnews Team reached out to the student to find out the whole story. The purpose of sharing the story with the readers is to bring into light a case where a student stands for right but unfortunately, her “own people” stand against her.

Here is her story:

Ladies and Gentlemen…..The Procession.…Please Rise!… echoed the announcement made by the Master of the ceremony in the aesthetically decorated Islamabad Convention Centre to mark the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Bahria University Islamabad. Everyone rose, lip-synching the National Anthem and there entered the Chief Guest, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandhila, flanked by the Rector and others, all dressed up in Graduation robes & funny head gears. Somewhat indifferent parents seated in the gallery, including my father and brother, waiting only to see their loved ones proudly walk that stage.

As proceedings of the convocation ceremony moved forth systematically, my mind was simply not at ease. Standing in that queue with the rest of my batch mates, waiting for my name to be called out, I wondered about the acceptance of my hard-earned degree from an Admiral who was unabashedly going to deny me the academic Gold Medal in front of the entire august gathering. A medal I was destined for having the highest graduating GPA, and was being denied based on grounds outright unheard of. At the same time, I could still picture my meager application voicing this injustice, buried somewhere among other parchments in the pending items tray of the very same Admiral for the past 8 days, simply buying time till it was “mistakenly” tossed out as mere trash.

To give a brief context of the preceding events, I received news regarding the University’s much-awaited convocation ceremony earlier this month. Like most students, I too was thrilled about the event especially when I knew I was going to walk out as a Gold Medalist. Shockingly, I came to know of someone else’s selection for the coveted prize, despite his lower academic standing. At that moment, if hearsay was to be believed, I caught wind of the fact that since I had rescheduled a subject back in the first semester (Fall 2006), utilizing an academic facility given to the students by the University itself, I do not remain eligible for any honor, let alone the Gold Medal.

Immensely frustrated, I began the untiring efforts to fight for what I truly deserved. On the 9th of December’2011, I put an application before the Head of Department (HoD) Electrical Engineering, in an attempt to find an official elucidation to being refused the Gold Medal. Not only did I manage to get a few favorable nods & common points of agreement, but he was also kind enough to show some resolve to take up the matter with ‘higher authorities’.

Since then, it was simply an uphill battle. I left no stone unturned, no door unopened from the HoD till the highest university authorities, until a concrete reason for the denial of my right to the Honor was provided. Disappointingly, after a week, the University was only able to conjure up the following excuse:

‘Request has been rejected on the grounds that the Academic Council revised in 2009, conditions for Gold Medals’.

Thereby unfairly victimizing me by a rule established in 2009, for a degree I commenced back in 2006.

With only days to go till the convocation, I knocked on the doors of both the Pro-Rector and Rector of the University. Sadly, they could not be bothered less with the severe injustice being dealt to me, showing absolute disregard to the long hours I spent outside their offices with my father, waiting in hope, simply to be heard out. After an extensive homework, sadly they couldn’t justify their stance. Ultimately, both were of the opinion that the decision happened to be “too complex” for them and unfortunately they left it up to the Academic Council which would convene after the Graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, another application addressed directly to the Naval Chief for the very same reason, still remained in progress, despite the urgency of the matter.

It wasn’t long before I found myself on the grand stage, facing the very same Chief who was “too occupied” to reply to my application despite constant reminders. All those times I used to think of graduation speeches and the uncertainty pertaining to saying the right things & calling the right names, gushed through my mind. At that very instant it struck me – I knew exactly what I needed to say! Armed with a rush of adrenaline, I spoke:

“Assallam-u-Alaikum Sir. My name is Anber Javed”

“Yes I know of your case for the Gold Medal”

“Sir I believe I have been unfairly denied of it”

“It is as per the Rules. The Academic Council will decide”

“Sir, you have been misinformed of the rules. The correct rules were already in the Rector’s knowledge. Also if the Academic Council had to decide eventually, why has the University given its verdict already?”

No response.

Finally, I mustered the courage to say out loud:

“Sir, if you think this piece of paper is your acknowledgement of my 4years of hard work, I am sorry I refuse to take it”.

Stunned by my discourtesy and refusal to accept the degree, the discomfort on Admiral’s face was clearly evident. What followed was the distinct shuffle of nearby security commandos and Rector’s murmuring into the Chief’s ear. As a result, the Chief, due to his high stature, sought it inappropriate to congratulate me, or at the very least, mutter a few words of encouragement to acknowledge my efforts, let alone give my plea a fair chance.

That is the last I heard from them.

Six days after the event, I stand here dejected, with nothing to show for all my efforts. An event I wanted to celebrate with all my friends and family to commemorate those beautiful years of University life merely left me wondering about the worth of hard work and determination in the present educational system…

Long Live Bahria University!

By Anber Javed.

This is one party of story people should not comment only by listening to one side of story

 

[Patriot]

Was she refused the gold medal just because she was a woman? Now, if that's true, it sucks! I can't believe this. Looks like men are more equal than women. Whatever happened to women's rights in Pakistan? Numerically the women in Pakistan are almost equal to men. They are equal in potential as the men. Pakistani women live in the most diversified locations of the tribal, feudal or urban environments where they can be highly qualified and self-confident professionals. Women are even fighter pilots in the PAF!

And seeing that Pakistan was the first country in the Muslim world that had elected a woman as its prime minister twice, it is surprising why a qualified woman was denied an award she rightfully earned by dint of sheer hard work? Or am I missing something here?

get a grip

 

[Sinnerman108]

They still call it a university ??

Compared to NUST & GIKI , Bahria is more like an overly expensive high school.

 

[Taha Samad]

Was she refused the gold medal just because she was a woman? Now, if that's true, it sucks! I can't believe this. Looks like men are more equal than women. Whatever happened to women's rights in Pakistan? Numerically the women in Pakistan are almost equal to men. They are equal in potential as the men. Pakistani women live in the most diversified locations of the tribal, feudal or urban environments where they can be highly qualified and self-confident professionals. Women are even fighter pilots in the PAF!

And seeing that Pakistan was the first country in the Muslim world that had elected a woman as its prime minister twice, it is surprising why a qualified woman was denied an award she rightfully earned by dint of sheer hard work? Or am I missing something here?

Have you even bothered reading the article or do you just want to troll. She re-scheduled a course at some point in her degree. If i understand correctly re-scheduling is like withdrawing a course, in which case you don not get a f grade and that particular course in not considered towards GPA. Many universities consider one ineligible for any academic honors if you get a F grade, Withdraw/re-schedule a course or repeat a course. The logic behind this is that you are getting a second chance at a course, while you fellow students did that in single attempt. So a A grade in 2nd attempt cannot be considered better than a B grade in first attempt.

Her only logic is that the rule that you get disqualified for medal in case of re-scheduling a course was made in 2009 while she re-scheduled a course in 2006. I remember this happening to one of my MALE senior back in 2007 when this rule was introduced in our university. But when you take admission you sign a form on which it is written that you agree to abide by rules and regulations of university and any modification made to them afterwards. So unfortunate but she has herself to blame because she withdrew a course which you only do in case you see a impeding F grade or a very poor grade. I would like to ask her had she not withdrew that course what would have been her grade then. If that grade was poor enough to make her GPA less than the one who got Gold Medal.

One of our teacher used to say that withdrawing is worse than getting a F grade. Its like running away from the battlefield in the fear that you may die.

 

[Mav3rick]

Was she refused the gold medal just because she was a woman? Now, if that's true, it sucks! I can't believe this. Looks like men are more equal than women. Whatever happened to women's rights in Pakistan? Numerically the women in Pakistan are almost equal to men. They are equal in potential as the men. Pakistani women live in the most diversified locations of the tribal, feudal or urban environments where they can be highly qualified and self-confident professionals. Women are even fighter pilots in the PAF!

And seeing that Pakistan was the first country in the Muslim world that had elected a woman as its prime minister twice, it is surprising why a qualified woman was denied an award she rightfully earned by dint of sheer hard work? Or am I missing something here?

She was denied and another 'girl' was selected for the gold medal!

 

[Mav3rick]

And on top of everything she thinks the Naval Chief has time to ponder over gold medals for silly little girls??? That, in my book, is an A+ in stupidity.