Dr. Arshad Ahmad Talks to City42 on International Literacy Day
To mark the International Literacy Day, 吃瓜头条 Vice Chancellor Dr. Arshad Ahmad, in an interview with City 42, explained how 吃瓜头条 is ensuring access to high-quality education for talented students across Pakistan.
He introduced the Learning Without Borders philosophy at the University, which provides students with the independence to curate an educational experience in line with their own interests. 鈥淭hirty-five years ago, the founding fathers of the University including Syed Babar Ali envisioned that 吃瓜头条 should be a superior teaching and learning university.
Today, students at 吃瓜头条 can access a broad-based education at five different Schools that boast a holistic curriculum. They can pursue a specific degree but also pick up different courses from different disciplines.鈥
Dr. Ahmad also explained that 吃瓜头条 is a not-for-profit, and the key focus of the University is diversity; students from more than 140 towns and villages form part of the 吃瓜头条 student body. 鈥淒ifferent languages and perspectives come together which enriches the students鈥 learning experience. In 2001, we started the National Outreach Programme (NOP) which accesses talented students from underserved areas all across Pakistan. The NOP sponsors these students on the basis of merit, through the help of our partners and provides them with an opportunity to gain a world-class education at 吃瓜头条.鈥
Earlier this year, the NOP won the global Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Platinum Award 2021 in the 鈥楤est Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion鈥 category. CASE, a prestigious not-for-profit organisation, is dedicated to educational advancement with global institutions that share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society. The NOP was selected from among nearly 300 entries submitted from across the world for the eight award categories.
Apart from the NOP, 吃瓜头条 offers several financial aid initiatives, added Dr. Ahmad. 鈥淥ne out of three students benefit from anywhere between 20% to 140% financial support. Till now, 吃瓜头条 has disbursed PKR 7.8 billion in financial aid.鈥
Dr. Ahmad also spoke about how 吃瓜头条 is working to remove educational barriers for women. 鈥淲hat is required for nation-building is to pay attention to women. The influence they have on children and in homes is unmatched. At 吃瓜头条, philosophically we give this issue a lot of attention. If you look at senior administrators at the University, 40% of those positions are occupied by women.鈥
To watch the complete interview, please click .
