HARIPUR: The University of Haripur Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwar Gilani has received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz award for his outstanding contributions in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

President Dr Arif Alvi conferred the award on him at a Pakistan Day function in the President House in Islamabad on Tuesday, according to a statement issued from the office of deputy registrar here.

Prof Gilani is the only serving VC who has been conferred with three civil awards (Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance).

Besides, he has also been honoured with the title of Distinguished National Professor and the Lifetime Academic Achievement Award by the government.

While working at the Aga Khan University Prof Gilani made breakthrough discoveries, including transnational research (from lab to patients) on natural medicine/functional foods for their effectiveness in cardio metabolic diseases such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

He is a co-editor of two WHO books on essential medicine, and has published near 500 articles attracting high citations.

He has also occupied and maintained the first national ranking in pharmaceutical sciences since last two decades.

Prof Gilani has supervised research of 20 PhD scholars, and has been invited as speaker at around 100 international conferences.

He has also represented Pakistan at the UN meetings on science & technology.

He has served as adviser to WHO on essential medicine, and scientific adviser to International Foundation for Science.

Prof Gilani has received several national/international awards for his accomplishments and meritorious services during the 40 years of career.

Meanwhile, the education department organised inter-school essay writing, poetry and quiz contests to mark the Pakistan Day.

Students from different government high and higher secondary schools, who had qualified for the final round of the contests, took part in the competitions.

According to event organiser Hafiz Sarfraz Khan, the topic for essay writing contest was ‘role of students in the solidarity of Pakistan’.

He said Shakil Ahmed, Mubashir Ali and Arsalan Ahmed clinched first, second and third positions, respectively, in the Urdu essay writing contest. Ubaid Ahmed, Faizan Khan and Zulfiqar Ahmed won the three top positions in English essay writing contest.

The students of government higher secondary schools, Kotnajibullah, Bagra and No 2 bagged the first three positions in the quiz contest.

The students of government higher secondary schools, Bagra, No 2 and Kahal grabbed the top three positions in the poetry contest.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2021