GILGIT: The University of Baltistan Skardu and the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) have established a partnership to initiate academic and research programmes.

The HUC is a network of 88 universities from the eight regional member countries (RMC) from the Hindukush Himalaya region. It works on strengthening research and scholarship on issues relevant to the region.

According to a press release issued here the other day, the understanding was reached at a virtual meeting at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Khatmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday.

ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge-sharing centre, serving the eight RMCs.

Under the partnership, HUC and the Baltistan varsity have agreed to mutually establish academic and research partnership projects for environmental and humanitarian studies in the trans-Himalayan region with focus on water, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, mountain heritage, tourism and mountain agriculture.

Baltistan varsity Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan, and HUC’s Ms Shachi and others were in attendance.

Ms Shachi highlighted the consortium’s goals and mandates with respect to its international activities.

Dr Naeem Khan briefed the participants about the progress and curricular, co-curriculum activities of the university since its inception. He explained the university’s performance during the Covid-19, particularly the online teaching programme. He also highlighted the varsity’s future prospects and impediments.

SPORTS FESTIVAL CONCLUDES: A three-day ice sports festival concluded at the frozen Khalti Lake in Ghizer district on Saturday.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed Khan, GB Assembly Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate, tourism minister Raja Nasir Khan, secretary tourism Sumer Ahmed Syed, and others were present.

Khalti Development Organisation organised the event with the support of the GB tourism department and the district administration.

Over 110 athletes competed in the ice hockey, ice skating, ice football and other events.

Local musical and singing performances and stalls of traditional cuisine and handicraft were another highlight of the festival.

Trophies, awards, and gifts were distributed among the players.

Speaking on the concluding ceremony, Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed said the GB government planned to develop road infrastructure to attract tourists to the region.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021