The Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT) celebrated the culmination of its Summer Session Volunteer Programme with a certificate- awarding ceremony for Batches 58 and 59 on Saturday.
This renowned initiative, which began in 2006, continues to shape the youth of Pakistan, instilling in them a deep sense of community service and civic responsibility. The SIUT Students’ Volunteer Programme has emerged as a cornerstone of educational enrichment, engaging students from diverse educational backgrounds, including 9th, 10th, first, and second year, and O & A levels. Over the years, around 7,000 young individuals have completed this transformative programme, gaining invaluable insights and skills that go beyond traditional classroom learning.
At the heart of the programme are comprehensive orientation sessions that not only acquaint participants with the SIUT’s mission of "Free Quality Treatment for All with Dignity & Compassion”, but also prepare them for a week-long journey of learning and service. Participants were exposed to a spectrum of disciplines including urology, nephrology, dialysis, transplantation, oncology, hepatogaestroenterology, robotic surgery, personal hygiene, and biomedical ethics through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops.
Under the patronage of Prof. Adib Rizvi, director & founder of the SIUT, the programme emphasizes empathy and compassion. It plays a pivotal role in developing participants' understanding of and response to the challenges faced by marginalised communities. Interactive sessions with paediatric patients and workshops on first aid by Hilal-e-Ahmer and community health services not only broaden students’ horizons but also equip them with essential skills for societal welfare.
The certificate-awarding ceremony was a testament to the programme’s impact, featuring heartfelt speeches from junior and senior volunteers who described their experiences as life-changing. Parents and teachers alike praised the programme for its positive influence on students, noting visible changes in their children’s attitudes towards service and empathy. Participants were recognised for their dedication with certificates and tokens of appreciation from the SIUT, inspiring them to persist as empathetic leaders within their communities.