PESHAWAR: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) Peshawar on Wednesday kicked off its 19th foundation day celebrations featuring a two-day culture festival.

A statement issued here said that Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi was chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of university’s foundation day. A cake was cut to start the ceremony.

SBBWU also signed eight memorandum of understanding with different organisations focusing on research, faculty exchange programmes and soft skill development collaborations for students. The university also launched an alumna’s start-up ‘Day Dreamers’ events management company to polish entrepreneurial skills of students.

Minister hints at establishing provincial HEC

The award for best teacher for the year 2022-23 was given to Ruqqiya Bibi of chemistry department. She received the award in parameters based on nine broad areas including command of subject, teaching philosophy, course syllabus, grading system, test and assignments lesson plan, classroom teaching, use of technology, student’s interaction and mentoring and student evaluation. She received an appreciation amount of Rs0.2 million.

SBBWU Vice-chancellor Prof Safia Ahmed spoke about the hurdles faced by the university including shortage of funds and ban on recruitments. She said that shortage of staff led to various administrative and academic issues. She stressed the need for construction of more academic blocks and hostels to launch various other disciplines.

Meena Khan Afridi in his speech appreciated the university’s efforts in the field of research. He said that the universities were research engines. “Every university must focus on their office of research and commercialisation and innovation along with quality assurance,” he added.

He said that the issues highlighted by the vice-chancellor were already under-consideration since many of the universities were facing the same problems. He said that government was planning and working to introduce provincial Higher Education Commission so that the issues related to universities might be addressed on priority basis with added emphasis.

The minister said that the aim of higher education department was to empower women and provide fair opportunities to everyone. “The government is also thinking to develop a forward thinking strategy for youth empowerment. The curriculum issues, financial deficit, good governance and quality education will be focused by the government to bring sustainability,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024