MINGORA: Noted educationist and Islamia College University Peshawar Vice Chancellor Professor Ajmal Khan has urged the newly established universities to improve their educational standard to compete with top varsities of the world.

He said this during a two-day visit to the University of Swat, where the university’s administration held a special function here with him to recognise his services for the development of education.

Professor Ajmal was freed by the Taliban militants lately after four years captivity in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

During a function attended by faculty members and students, he had come to Swat after a long time and that the area had been a centre of education.

“I am glad to visit the University of Swat, which has so many departments to impart quality education to students,” he said.

The educationist said as the government had realised the need for establishing universities in every district, the new universities should improve their educational standard to compete with the world’s top varsities.

He urged outgoing students to apply the education and training they’d got at the university to life for national development.

Professor Ajmal also asked students not to forget their educational institutions.

Professor Ajmal pays two-day visit to University of Swat

Speaking on the occasion, University of Swat Vice Chancellor Professor Jehanzeb Khan said the safe return of Professor Ajmal Khan from the Taliban custody was a matter of pleasure for him like other educationists.

“It is a matter of great honour for us to have an evening with the Professor Ajmal Khan, who has to his credit remarkable services for the promotion of education in the province,” he said.

Professor Jehanzeb said the university had begun operations in 2010 with the enrolment of 180 students and that the number of students had increased to over 2,700, including 500 girls, in 25 BS and 17 master’s degree programmes.

Meanwhile, the University of Swat held a seminar on anti-corruption on its main Odigram campus here on Wednesday. Islamia College University Peshawar Vice Chancellor Ajmal Khan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said corruption was a social evil with no religion allowing it.

He said Islam taught honesty and justice to its followers and that trust was the key to healthy environment as nations could go up on the basis of their credibility.

The educationist said students shouldn’t to cheat in examinations, while teachers should train them in such a way that they could discharge their professional responsibilities efficiently.

University of Swat Vice Chancellor Professor Jehanzeb Khan, who was also in attendance, urged students to study wholeheartedly to live up to the expectations of their parents and teachers.

Published in Dawn December 11th, 2014