Academic Excellence A Priority For Progress; President Masood Khan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2018 ) :President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan Friday visited the University of Poonch (UoP) and inaugurated the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science's newly built DVM Building at the main campus.

During a two day official tour to Rawalakot, the President who is also the Chancellor of AJK Public Sector Universities visited the university facilities and on the occasion addressed the Deans, Directors, faculty, and students.

The President congratulated Vice Chancellor, UoP Prof. Dr. Rasul Jan and his management for resolving issues concerning the recognition and accreditation of Engineering and Pharmacy degrees. He said that matters concerning the student's academics will be prioritized and in this regard, the President's Office will always facilitate AJK's public sector universities.

While addressing the faculty and students, the President urged them to hone their skills and aspire for academic excellence in order to compete not only with the universities in AJK but also with the universities in the country, the region, and the world.

The President said that the University of Poonch has crossed many milestones since its establishment and added that this university is a gift for the people of Poonch and AJK. He pressed upon them to cherish, develop and own this institution to the full extent and strive towards making it a leading seat of learning in the region.

The President advised the students to develop professionalism, acquire confidence through academic competence and excel in their respective field of studies. He said, in addition to this, the students must display a strong character by inculcating integrity, truthfulness and the sense of service towards society.

"All these are conscious choices one should make", he said. He said students should raise their awareness about the changing job trends, evolving production industry and the futuristic disciplines which are shaping our economic landscape.

He said that while specializing in their own fields, they should acquire new skills and build a knowledge-based economy.

With the formal inclusion of AJK in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), students should invest in specializing in disciplines like hydraulic engineering, management, logistics, and energy production.

They should keep themselves abreast with the projects and professional requirements needed in the coming years, he said. President Masood Khan said "We are building an interface and trying to collaborate with national and international universities for faculty and student exchange programs.

These programs will help enhance the capacity of our faculty and students giving them the necessary national and international exposure". The President urged the students to raise their voice for the Kashmir issue and utilize modern means of communication, especially the social media.

He informed the students to follow the #KashmirMatters trend on Twitter and Facebook to highlight the plight of our brothers and sisters in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The President on the occasion also planted a sapling at the campus to mark the annual tree plantation drive.

In a meeting at Circuit House, Rawalakot; Principle Poonch Medical College Dr. Zia-ur-Rehman led a delegation which called on President AJK. The delegation informed the President of their concerns relating to the budget and administration of the college.

They apprised the President of the difficulties faced in running the college due to the shortage of funds. They said it was pertinent that the issues be resolved at the earliest in order to ensure the studies of the students are not hampered.

The President assured that his office will look into this matter and resolve all pending issues on priority. "No compromise will be made on the education of the students studying in AJK universities and colleges", he said.

In a separate meeting, a delegation comprising representatives of PML (N) Youth Wing also called on President Masood Khan and apprised him of their concerns regarding local administrative issues in Poonch division. Following a patient hearing, the President assured them that their concerns will soon be addressed and a follow up will be made.