Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ur Rahman Saljoqi, Vice Chancellor, Islamia College Peshawar, warmly welcomed the Chief Guest Honourable Secretary Higher Education Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Capt. (R) Kamran Ahmad Afridi to a very auspicious ceremony held for the distribution of scholarship award letters and cheques among students of Islamia College Peshawar at various levels.
A total of 304 top-performing BS students from various programs of the university were awarded scholarships besides others.
In his address, the Secretary Higher Education stated that his favourite activity is to interact with students as students are the central focus of all educational efforts and initiatives. He remarked that the new generation is well aware of digital trends and emerging technologies. He emphasized that young and impressionable minds are like a blank slate, whatever values and lessons are written on them will leave a lasting impact.
He stressed that investment in youth is essential, as they play a vital role in the development of every nation. If the youth are disengaged or neglected, they may fall into the wrong hands, which could harm national interests. He identified discouragement of education as the greatest enemy of a nation. If the youth are left disengaged, the resulting vacuum will inevitably be filled by negative forces.
The Secretary further said that educational institutions must bring meaningful reforms by focusing equally on curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. He described Islamia College Peshawar as the “Crown of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” and the true identity of the province. “Whenever one speaks of KP or Peshawar, the magnificent domes of Islamia College immediately come to mind,” he added, recognizing its unmatched historical and cultural importance for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He noted that an institution is not defined by bricks and mortar alone but by its students, faculty, staff, discipline and collective spirit. Therefore, there is a dire need to invest in human capital. The Secretary announced that, for the first time in the history of KP, a Job Fair is being planned to connect graduates with employment opportunities.
He emphasized the importance of equipping youth to serve as ambassadors and representatives of the province and the nation. “A revolutionary approach is far better than an evolutionary one,” he said, urging institutions to strengthen in-house arrangements and adopt innovative practices.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to higher education, he shared that for the first time in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs. 10 billion have been allocated in the provincial budget for universities. Furthermore, BS programs at colleges have been rationalized and Associate Degree (AD) programs introduced to balance student enrollment across universities and colleges.
