Modern disciplines to be introduced at tertiary level to produce competent graduates: AJK President

MIRPUR, Jan 23 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan chaired the 10th Senate meeting of the public sector Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST).
During the meeting, MUST Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman presented to the president and chancellor of the
varsity detailed briefing and overview on the university’s academic achievements, ongoing development projects and matters relating to the establishment of MUST sub-campus at Pallandri.
The meeting was also attended by Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi VC Prof Dr Samina Amin Qadir, Higher Education AJK Secretary Syed Shahid Mohi-ud-Din, Higher Education Commission Director General Awan Ahmad, Professor International Islamic University Dr Muhammad Khan, other members of the Senate board, and senior faculty members of the MUST.
President Masood said modern disciplines would be introduced at the tertiary level to produce competent graduates equipped with the requisite academic skills.
He said universities would focus on innovation and industry-based research work to help raise the educational standards in the AJK universities.
He said the current government prioritizes merit-based admissions and inductions in universities. “Merit alone can ensure our
universities and graduates meet international academic standards”,
He said no political interference would be allowed to influence decision making in universities.
The president said our focus would always be on improving the quality of education imparted at our universities.
He said numerous international universities had shown their interest in establishing partnerships with our universities, especially for student exchange, and split degree programmes, PhD and post-doctorate research work.
President Masood Khan urged the timely completion of planning and construction of the MUST sub-campus at Pallandri.
The president was informed that the AJK government had transferred the required land and the feasibility report had
been submitted to the HEC for approval.
The president said the sub-campus would be made according to international standards and provide modern
educational facilities for the aspiring students.
“We will build modern educational facilities and introduce research-based curricula which would not only bring us at par with national universities but also make our universities regionally competitive”, he said.
The president on the occasion thanked HEC for their continuing support in funding ongoing projects, construction of sub-campuses and their invaluable input on various academic matters of the universities in Azad Kashmir.