PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced the establishment of six new campuses of Islamia College across the province, where secondary, higher secondary and Inter-Tech programmes would be offered to expand access to education.
The announcement was made during his video-link address to the convocation of the historic institution on Saturday night. He also stressed the importance of aligning university programmes with market demands and called on faculty to keep pace with the speed of change in the private sector.
A total of 360 graduates were awarded degrees at the ceremony. Ten retired and serving faculty members, along with 27 graduates, received gold medals. Four prominent alumni of the institution - Pakistan Cricket Team captain Mohammad Rizwan, noted cardiac surgeon Dr. Rahman, former Chief Secretary Kazim Niaz, and academic Dr Abasin Yousufzai - were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Mohammad Rizwan expressed his gratitude for the award, describing it as the most precious achievement of his life. He called Islamia College the best institution, saying it was where he learned everything that shaped his career.
The chief minister emphasized the importance of collective progress and cooperation, issuing a firm message to neighboring India. Referring to recent tensions, he said that as Muslims and Pakistanis, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are fully prepared to defend the country, and that unity in the face of aggression remains Pakistan’s greatest strength.
Dr Ziaul Haq, Vice-Chancellor of Khyber Medical University and currently acting Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University, described the day as historic and outlined an ambitious reform agenda for the institution. He emphasized the need for financial sustainability, complete digitization, academic restructuring, and enhanced quality assurance mechanisms. Among the reforms already underway was the inauguration of an e-office facility, a step that was widely applauded during the ceremony.
Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi also addressed the gathering. He praised parents for continuing to invest in their children’s education despite a challenging environment.
Expressing regret at not having had the chance to study at Islamia College herself, he called the university’s role in the independence movement a proud chapter in national history. He commended Dr Zia’s ongoing reforms and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening universities across the province. The university’s Director of Sports, Mohammad Ali Shah Hoti, supervised the arrangements for the event.