Governor Punjab Engr. Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman has said that universities play a key role in promoting a knowledge-based economy. Human resource development and advanced research are indispensable for national development. Governor Punjab expressed these views while addressing the 19th Convocation of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
On this occasion, degrees were conferred to 1024 graduates, including 28 PhD, 66 MPhil, 79 gold, and 68 silver medals. During his visit to the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, the Governor distributed more than 6.13 million rupees in scholarships to 48 students belonging to Balochistan under the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund. He inaugurated the Centre for Sustainable Development Goals at the university and inaugurated the annual degree show of the College of Art and Design.
He said that our educational institutions should produce graduates who have high academic skills as well as excellent personal qualities. In the last few years, Islamia University Bahawalpur has shown extraordinary progress in every department. The establishment of an inter-university consortium, inter-cropping technology of maize and soybean crops, the establishment of the National Cotton Breeding Institute, initiation of a pilot project in Cholistan on rain enhancement project with international cooperation to develop agroeconomic zone, the establishment of a first-of-its-kind nursing college in any university are exemplary steps.
The governor appreciated the organizing of the Bahawalpur Literary and Cultural Festival at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and the Bahawalpur Trade Fair to promote tourism. He said that the establishment of the Centre for Performing Arts and Digital Media Production is commendable. on the occasion Vice Chancellor Engr. Dr. Athar Mahboob said that the Islamia University of Bahawalpur has been included in the top 800 universities of the world in the ranking of times higher education.
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur is implementing teaching, administrative, and financial reforms to join the top 100 world universities. Under these reforms, the number of faculties has been increased from 7 to 15, and the number of departments has been increased from 48 to 142. Around 2,000 full-time and part-time teachers are providing educational services to more than 65,000 students across seven campuses.
