Altaf Hamid Rao.
3367 successful students conferred upon degrees of Ph.D, Post Graduation, Gradation in Engring, Science, Arts and Other disciplines,
MIRPUR (AJK): The State-run Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST) Mirpur, has, so far, produced 8845 graduates, 833 MS/ M.Phils and seven Ph.Ds in the field of Botany, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Physics.
A total of 3367 degrees including 2279 BS, M.A./M.Sc. 225MS/ M.Phil.and 05 Ph.Ds. were awarded in 5th convocation of the varsity held here on Tuesday by Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Jammu Kashmir, also the Chancellor of public sector university in AJK, conferred the degrees upon the students belonging to various disciplines of engineering, science, arts, social sciences and others.
Besides 70 graduates were decorated with Gold Medals, 861 degrees of BA/ B.Sc./ B.Com and MA/ M.Sc. Those students awarded the degrees belong to the affiliated institutions.
This was announced by Vice Chancellor of the MUST Prof. Dr. Maqsood Ahmed in his welcome address to the 5th convocation of the varsity held here on Tuesday.
Ex Vice Chancellor of the varsity Prof. Dr. Habib ur Rehman (Sitara e Imtiaz), Registrar MUST Prof. Muhammad Waris, Dean Engineering Prof. Anwar Khataab, Director Student Affairs Dr. Asghar Ali Chaudhry, Director Planning and Development Prof. Engineer Muhammad Iqbal and other members of the faculty were also present on this occasion.
In his detailed welcome address, the vice chancellor Dr. Maqsood said “We are trying our best to make the MUST as one of the best University of Pakistan. The HEC standards and guidelines for admission to the M.Phil.and Ph.D. degree programs have been implemented. We have also implemented the HEC criteria for appointments of the faculty. I take this opportunity to ensure that we would continue leading the university on the path of progress by implementing the policies of the government and the HEC.
we are providing quality higher education to our students.A full-fledged quality enhancement cell has been working in the University whileCampus Management System (CMS)has also been successfully functioning in the University.
I am happy to reportthat the University has maintained its W rating in the league table position in the HECQuality Guide 2017-18 by securing 88.43 marks. All such achievements are a result of hard work of the Deans, Directors/ Chairpersons, Faculty Members and staff of the university. We will continue working hard for the wholesome development of the University in the future as well.
I consider faculty as heart and soul of the University. We are blessed with 85 Ph.D. faculty members while 177 M. Phils. At present, 64 faculty members are enrolled for Ph.D. degree programs in foreign countries while 34 faculty members are pursuing their Ph.Ds. in local universities. The University budget is increased up to Rs. 1265.336 Million which was only 202.425 million in 2009-10.
Now I would like to share academic achievements of the MUST.
I am happy to report that all our engineering departments are accredited with the Pakistan Engineering Council and others with respective councils. We have started providing outcome base education to our students and developing the faculty of Engineering and Technology on the directions of the PEC to meet the criteria of the ‘Washington Accord’.
Our faculty members have been contributing in research field enormously. During the last year, 336 research papers have been published in reputed international journals. The faculty members have also been presenting their research work in international and national conferences. We are highly focused that our research should be directed at solving local problems and finding their scientific solutions by exploiting indigenous resources.
The Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) is working in the university to manage, the research projects, promote innovation and commercialization and to develop links with industries. We have also provided Rs. 14 million to the ORIC in this regard. Sir, at present, 12 research projects of Rs. 72.75 million are being under taken in the University. These projects have greatly enhanced the research activities and developed research culture in the university. The research funding for these projects is secured from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as well as from the Pakistan Science Foundation.
During the last year, the MUST had won a grant of Rs. 14.8 million for the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory through competition at the national level. Our research teams have developed ample expertise in designing of the autonomous vehicle and the first state-of-the-art industrial loader of Pakistan and Hybrid Motorcycle. Our faculty members have visited Italy and Dubai under the technology exchange and international collaborations. We now have a startup “SelfTech”, which aims at providing the self-driving cars and industrial logistic vehicles at reasonable cost to make the travel safe and comfortable. Recently, we have won Rs. 50 million “Smart Class Room” funding from the Higher Education Commission.
Our University has also won a project under the Technology Development Fund of the HEC entitled, “Assistive Device for the Visually Impaired Persons”. Basically this is a talking stick and hopefully this will help solve the problems ofthe blind person. This device is ready for the mass production with the help of industrial partner.
Our engineering faculty has developed a “Multi-Purposed Environment Friendly and Efficient Smart Wood Stove” which consumes almost 61% less fuel-wood as compared to traditional stoves. Basically, this stove is designed for the upper mountainous people of the AJK and KPK, who are facing great stress due to severe weather conditions in the winter season.
We are focused towards local and global climate change. Recently, we have won a project titled: “Mitigating Climate Change by Transforming Hazardous Plastic Waste into Paving Blocks” from the Pakistan Science Foundation. The project is directed at transforming low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic waste into paving blocks.
The mega project of the University is near completion. The Administration Block, Students Hostels, First Aid Center, Sports Complexhave been completed and will be shifted to the new campus in February this year. Services like road network, electrification, internet facility, telephone exchange, water supply and sewerage are at the completion stage.
Another project of Rs. 158.277 million for the establishment of Students Services Center which includes construction of Library, Café and Mosque is also near completion.
The University has also won a project of Rs. 100.000 million titled “Advance Geo-Technical Engineering Laboratory” from the HEC, Pakistan. The Project will provide the research facilities in the fields of Earthquake Engineering, Land Sliding and Floods. This will be an immense contribution towards the community.
The establishment of the MUST was directed at providing the higher education facilities to the youth of the State including Kashmiri Diaspora and adjoining areas of Pakistan. With 32 teaching departments, the University is currently running 84degree programs under the umbrella of four faculties at three campuses; Main Campus, Bhimber and Pallandri. Total strength of the on campus students at MUST is 6737 (Male 3815, Females2922) while students enrolled at affiliated colleges is 1738.
The development of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in recent times is an indication that University is well aware of its role in health segment of under developed region.This faculty has been planned well about growing applied fields like Pharmacy, Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Medical Lab Technology, Physiotherapy. This faculty has been developed through interdisciplinary approach where we have taken on board DHQ Hospital Mirpur as well as Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto ShaheedMedical College, Mirpur. By virtue of this occasion, I will pay special thanks to the professional contribution and guidance of leading roles of health care system of AJ&K for developing future road map of this faculty.
During the period we have established new departments including Media and Communication Studies, Forestry, Sociology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Tourism and Hospitality with the passage of time newly established departments will be further strengthened.
The Graduate Placement Bureau has secured internship and placements for more than 550 students and jobs for about 80 students.
The achievements of the MUST Students in the Co-curricular activities:-
· MUST Women Cricket Team won All AJK Inter University Women Cricket Championship.
· MUST Table Tennis (Boys) Team was the Winner Team in All AJK Inter University Table Tennis Championship.
· One of our Student Mr. Osama Arif Department of Computer Science & IT represented Pakistan in World Karate Championship and secured 2nd Position and brought bronze Medal to home.
· One of our Physical Education Teacher/ Coach Mr. Rashid Mehmood who is first Kashmiri Empire who represented Pakistan as an Umpire at Asian Badminton Tournaments in Maldives.
The students’ councils, societies and clubs are made functional; students are fully involved in the co-curricular activities.
One of our student societies; Blood and Welfare Society donated 1500 plus donations of blood in hospital, Rs. 6 lac for earthquake relief actives and 1 lac for Neelum valley incident. All these services are recognized by National Volunteer Forum.
The Students Financial Assistance Office has been working in the University for Management of the financial assistanceprograms like;
1. 230-HEC Need Based Scholarships are being awarded to the talented but needy students.
2. 399-Merit based scholarshipsare being awarded to students who attaintop 5 positions in each semester.
3. 50-MUST-Need Based Scholarships are being awarded to the needy student by the University.
4. 98-HBL Foundation Scholarshipsare being awarded to the BS and MS students.
5. 60-students are being awarded scholarships under the Guardian Insurance Scholarship Scheme of the University.
6. 06-scholarships are being awarded to the BS and Masters level students under the Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Program.
7. About 1700- students have benefited from the Prime Minister Fee of Pakistan Reimbursement Scheme.
8. 600-students received laptops under the Prime Minister of Pakistan National Laptop Scheme.
9. 05-Electric Wheel Chairs have been provided to the disabled students through Prime Ministers Electric Wheel Chair Scheme.
10. Eight Scholarship @ Rs. 25,000/- per student have been awarded to the Engineering students last year under the Institute of Engineers Pakistan Saudi Arabian Centre (IEP-SAC) scholarship scheme.
11. Fourteen Scholarships @ Rs. 21,428/- per student have been awarded to the Engineering students under the Laraib Energy Ltd scholarship scheme in 2018-19.
12. Fifteen Scholarships of amounting Rs. 11,82,000/- distributed among the scholars against National Endowment Scholarship for Talent (NEST) scholarship.
13. 12-scholarships @ Rs. 18000/- per semester have been awarded to students of the Faculty of Sciences under the Sara Ahmed Joo (SAJS) Scholarship.
14. 899-applications have been received against “EHSAAS Undergraduate Scholarship Project”.
During the year the University has organized the following events/ seminars and conferences:-
1. The MUST observed “Right of Self Determination Day” on 5th January, 2019.
2. MUST in collaboration with the Pakistan House, Islamabad organized a National Conference entitled, UN Report on Human Rights Violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir: Demographic Changes and Societal Implications”.
3. The PTV Team recorded program for 5th February Kashmir Solidarity Day for the Kashmir Magazine.
4. The Certificate and Prize Distribution Ceremony for “Painting and Photography Competition” was Jointly Organized by the MUST and the SCO in 2019
5. MUST and SCO jointly celebrated 79th Pakistan Day on 23rd March, 2019.
6. MUST observed Memorial Reference in Remembrance of Late Syed Ali Ahmed Shah on his 29th Death Anniversary on 27th March, 2019.
7. MUST celebrated its 10th Foundation Day 2019 on 27th March, 2019.
8. A MoU was signed Between MUST and Pakistan Testing Service in 2019 for the screening test for appointments in the University.
9. MoU was signed Between American Board (Teacher Training & Certification Program) in the MUST in 2019.
10. MoU was signed Between Department of Civil Engineering, MUST and Muslim Hands in 2019.
11. MUST and Environmental Protection Agency jointly organized Seminar on “Climate Change and its Impacts on Economy and Environment” in 2019.
12. One Day Conference titled “Response Strategy to Indian Aggression of Abrogating the Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir” was organized by the MUST.
13. MUST celebrated 54thDefense Day on 6th September, 2019 in the City Campus.
14. A Seminar was arranged on “Kashmir and Human Destiny-Moving the Case from Bilateralism to Internationalization” in 2019.
15. A Special Convocation was organized by the MUST on 4th October, 2019 for awarding Honorary Degree to Mr. Mohammed Afzal Khan, Member of the UK Parliament.
16. MUST observed 72nd Yom-e-Tasees of the Azad Government of the State of Jammu & Kashmir on the 24th October, 2019.
17. The Department of Education MUST organized 3 Days HEC & Pink Ribbon (Brest Cancer) Youth Awareness Program 2019 at MUST.
18. MUST observed Shuhda-e-Peshawar Day on 16th December, 2019 in Remembrance of the terrorist attack on APS Peshawar.
19. MUST observed 52nd Death Anniversary of Quaid-e-Millat Ch. Ghulam Abbas on 18th December, 2019,
The MUST has been providing the services in the area under the agreement for three years with the Healthcare for All International, UK. The agreement has been extended for further five years. The University has signed 8 MoUs with the universities of the OIC countries for scientific and educational cooperation. The university has also signed MoU with the Institute of Career Development (ICD), Islamabad for the establishment of the Skills Development Center in the University including the facility for teaching of the Chinese Language. This will help developing human resource to meet the CPEC projects’ requirements.
We have planned strengthening theContinuing Professional Development Center (CPD), Consultancy Services during 2020-2021, establishment of the Science and Technology Park, Community Services Center, Institute of Modern Languages and Heritage and Tourism Center.
Future plans of the university include multiple degree programs like Architectural and Design Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Material Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Political Science, Statistics,Medical Lab Technology and Doctor of Physical Therapy.
We have also planned to submit the following projects: –
1. PC-I for the establishment of Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences has been completed and will be submitted to the HEC for approval after demarcation of the land by the Revenue Department. The AJK government has allocated 1664 kanal land for this purpose.
2. PC-I for the establishment of another Girls Hostel including Bachelor Hostel for females, Residence Laboratory for the Department of Home Economics, Fitness Center for Females and University Products Display Center.
3. PC-I for the Phase-II of the University Development are being prepared and will be submitted to the HEC for further processing during second quarter of the 2020.
4. The government has allocated 523 kanal land for the establishment of Pallandri Campus and PC-I has already been submitted for approval.
The progress and achievements of the MUST during the past years clearly show the able guidance of the Hon’ble President/ Chancellor MUST.
I am pleased to mention that Hon’ble Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Professor Emeritus and former Vice Chancellor of the University had played a major role in the wholesome development of the University.
At the end, again I would like to congratulate Gold Medalists, Graduating Students and their proud parents. I am grateful to all distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen for gracing the occasion. In particular, I am thankful to Honorable President/ Chancellor for honoring us with his kind presence.
I also take this opportunity to thank the members of the organizing committees for organizing the event in a befitting manner. All deserve special appreciation with a round of applause.I also thank the representatives of print and electronic media for covering the event”, he concluded.