Altaf Hamid Rao,
MIRPUR (AJK): In acknowledgement of his long-time outstanding performance as a seasoned academic and most particularly in his capacity – as Vice Chancellor of the State-run Mirpur University of Science & Technology, Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman (Sitara e Imtiaz), for two times, has again been appointed as Vice Chancellor of the varsity – Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, it was officially said on Monday.
His previous due term expired about a couple of months ago.
The official notification regarding his appointment notification has been issued on Monday – March 18, 2019.
“In supersession of notification of even number, dated 15.2.2019, the President Azad Jammu & Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 of the Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST) Mirpur Act 2014, on the recommendations of the Senate has been pleased to accord approval for appointment of Prof. Dr. Habib ur Rehman as Vice Chancellor Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST) Mirpur subject to the following terms and conditions which include i) This appointment shall initially be for a period of three years, extendable if required and ii) The Vice Chancellor shall be entitled to draw salary package as admissible to Vice Chancellor of the public-sector Universities”, an official notification issued by AJK State Department of Services & General Administration on Monday said.
Prof. Dr. Habib ur Rehman (Sitara e Imtiaz), has been serving twice till the recent past , as Vice Chancellor of the the University to the satisfaction of all stakeholders and the University witnessed unprecedented development during his both the earlier stipulated tenures.
The members of the Senate had also reportedly supported his appointment in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions bringing the varsity in ‘W’ ranking, the stipulated criteria set by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) for the first class universities in the country. Referring to his achievements and contributions in the development of Higher Education in the AJK, the Senate termed his achievements and contributions as unequivocal.
He received the National Civil Award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2008 for his academic and research achievements. He also received Pakistan Academy of Sciences Award in 1999 for his academic and research achievements in the field of Chemistry. He was declared the Best Teacher twice in 2000 and 2005 by the Government of Pakistan. He was awarded Fellowship of the Chemical Society of Pakistan in 2006.
Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman also remained Vice Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and that University too witnessed unprecedented development during his term as Vice Chancellor. He played fundamental role in the development of the public sector universities in the AJK which include Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, University of the Poonch, Rawalakot, University of Kotli and the AJK Women University, Bagh. His contributions in the development of higher education sector in the AJK have always been recognized by the successive governments of the AJK.
Life Profile
Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Professor Emeritus, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur did his M.Sc. from the University of Karachi in 1980. He was awarded Gold Medal for securing 1st Class 1st in M.Sc. Chemistry. He started his career as Lecturer Chemistry in the Education Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on April 24, 1981 where he served for about four years. Then he joined the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi for Ph.D. He completed his Ph.D. studies in 1988 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, Nishan-i-Imtiaz. In March 1988, he joined the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as Associate Professor. In October 1989, he went to the States for Post Doctoral Studies at the Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia, USA.
Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman was appointed as Professor of Chemistry on February 22, 1997. He headed the Department of Chemistry from October 1992 through February 1994 and February 07, 2001 to January 31, 2004. He had also been Dean, Faculty of Science w.e.f. July 06, 2001 to November 14, 2001. In addition to professional duties, he served the University twice as Controller of Examinations (February 1997 through April 1998; July 2000 through October 2001) and as Registrar (September 02, 2002 through June 08, 2005). He served the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as Vice Chancellor (February 15, 2008 to August 02, 2012). He also served the Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur as Vice Chancellor (October 28, 2013 to February 06, 2019). Presently he is serving as Professor Emeritus, Mirpur University of Science and Technology since March 13, 2018. He also served the Mirpur University of Science and Technology earlier as Vice Chancellor (March 27, 2009 through July 21, 2011).
Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman has published over 100 research papers in journals of international repute. He presented his research work in numerous national and international conferences. He has established a research laboratory in the Department of Chemistry and successfully executed four research projects. He has supervised over 100 research projects of M.Sc. students. He produced 4 Ph.Ds. and 18 M.Phils. In this respect, he has done a lot to improve the standard of academics and research of his department. In addition, he served the University as Chairman of various important bodies of the University. Besides a permanent member of the Chemical Society of Pakistan, he is a member Executive Council of the Society.
Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman has been awarded the Pakistan Academy of Sciences Award (1999) for his outstanding research work in the field of Chemistry. In recognition of his outstanding academic and research achievements, he has also been awarded the Independence Day-14th August, 2000 Medal by the Azad Govt. of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the University Best Teacher Award 2001 and 2005 by the Govt. of Pakistan. In recognition of his outstanding research work in the field of Chemistry, he has been awarded the Fellowship of the Chemical Society of Pakistan in 2006. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of Chemistry, the President Islamic Republic of Pakistan conferred upon him Sitara-i-Imtiaz on August 14, 2008.
