SWAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Secretary Higher Education Dawood Khan said here on Saturday that it was high time for the students to focus on research-based studies to cater to the needs of the modern day world.

He was addressing a book launching ceremony and the Quaid Day function at the Postgraduate Girls College, Saidu Sharif. Apart from the college teachers and students, director higher education Khurshaid Khan, Swat University VC Prof Hassan Sher, Government Jahanzeb College Principal Wafa Mohammad, the girls college principal Dr Nargis Ara and Pashto poet Gul-e-Rana were in attendance.

A research book titled “Overcoming learning intricacies of students with the help of chemistry self-efficacy”, authored by Dr Nargis Ara, was launched on the occasion.

Dawood Khan said on the occasion that publishing a book by a woman educationist on a very difficult subject was indeed a great deed.

“I am honoured to be part of the ceremony, especially on the Quaid Day. The book will be a gift for the students of BS and other disciplines,” he said, adding that women’s role was indispensable in the development of a nation. He urged the students to focus on market-based learning.

He also extended his heartfelt felicitation to the Christian community on the Christmas day.

Prof Hassan Sher also lauded the efforts of Dr Ara for publishing a book that was important for students and teachers to overcome the intricacies of learning chemistry.

Dr Ara said she was excited to publish a book and launch it on a very special day, the birthday of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“The book is a gift available free of cost to all the students. This is the product of my 24-year educational experience and teaching and I hope students and teachers will benefit from it,” she said.

On this occasion, the students paid tribute to the founder of Pakistan and presented speeches in his honour.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2021