A palpable wave of sorrow swept through the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) as a condolence meeting was held at the Dow Medical College’s Moin Auditorium for three final-year students tragically drowned in the sea. The emotional gathering saw faculty, administration, and students openly grieving the irreparable loss.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nazli Hussain struggled to hold back tears as she addressed the assembly, describing the sudden departure of the three final-year students as “the most difficult time in life that will never be forgotten.” Highlighting the role of teachers as second parents, she instructed the students to make efforts to console the victims’ grieving families, particularly by visiting them during festivals. She also announced that the University Syndicate would consider granting a posthumous MBBS degree to the deceased students.
Registrar Dr. Ashar Afaq emphasized that the sorrow of losing a child is irreplaceable, noting that the tragedy has sent a shockwave through the global ‘Dow Family,’ with condolences pouring in through all communication channels.
Professor Saba Sohail described the incident as possibly the “biggest tragedy in Dow’s history,” emphasizing the catastrophic impact on the three families. She stated, “I myself am a mother and can understand the immense trauma these mothers are going through,” lamenting that no words exist to describe the pain of parents who lose their children. Given the circumstances, she mentioned that the families were not invited as they currently needed solitude, and appealed to the final-year D-26 students to conduct their farewell ceremonies with simplicity.
The former Admin, Zehra Simi, remembered the students’ close association with the administration during their COVID-era admission, while Professor Shamaila Khalid commended all three for being highly active and responsible individuals. The meeting concluded with prayers for the departed souls, followed by Quran Khawani organized for both male and female attendees.
