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Excellence in teaching, research can help produce competent graduates: Dr Khattak

By our correspondents
April 14, 2017

Islamabad

Cecos University, Peshawar, believes in learning through an effective class room model supported by lab work that focuses not only on the theoretical aspects of the subject but on the practical side of it as well, framing through real solutions and shaping up the knowledge into action.

Dr. Riaz Ahmad Khattak, Vice Chancellor, Cecos University, Peshawar, stated this in an interview with ‘The News’ here Wednesday.

Responding to a query about the vision and mission of CECOS and what does he think is the competitive edge of the university, Dr Khattak said CECOS is committed to achieve the goal of providing high quality education services of international standards with a vision of excellence in teaching and research to produce finest and competent graduates equipped with knowledge and dedication to serve the nation and capable of facing the future challenges in the field of Engineering , Architecture , Business , Computer and emerging sciences , Biotechnology.

When asked about CECOS stance on research and industry linkage department, he said CECOS established its industrial liaison centre (CILC) that encourages industrial linkages programs. The students trained in synthetic biotechnology by Integrative Bio Sciences (IIB) participated in the International completion on iGEM 2016, World Championship Jamboree in Boston, USA and won bronze medal, a real honour for Pakistan. An Asst. Professor of CECOS, Dr. Amjad Ali was awarded a cash prize of $25,000 by the Canadian Hospital for cancer research, he added.

Responding to another query about the newly inducted programmes and the faculty, the vice chancellor said we have recently started PhD degrees in Civil and Electrical engineering apart from MS level programs in all other disciplines as well as launching of degrees in biosciences and bioinformatics. CECOS has 160 full time dynamic and energetic faculties. “Among these there are more than 31 PhD’s including Foreign Graduates from leading universities of the world (Oxford, Cambridge, University of California, France, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey and Germany). It is worth mentioning to record that this year our QEC/QA got ‘W’ Ranking by the HEC, which is the highest. The dedicated and hardworking team of CECOS is still pushing the program forward to the international standards. Very recently, a renowned scientist, Prof. Dr. Sohail Qureshi, former Dean of LUMS, joined the team of CECOS, at IIB as a Professor. We are proud to have him on our faculty,” he added.

He said that a vibrant faculty development program with financial and administrative incentives to the faculty, establishment of fully functional ORIC, Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), University Alumni and Advancement office, continued professional develop

ment program for registered engineers are some of the strongest attributes of CECOS University.

When asked whether the university was a good role model for providing an education in a safe and healthy environment, Dr Khattak stated that to ensure security, university follows each and every step advised by the KP and federal government. “The security measures just few include raising the boundary walls to 10 ft, fixing Barnes wires, established check posts, construction of security system besides main gates, hiring of security guards fully armed with automatic weapons and installed 45 CCTV camera through the campus,” he added.

Dr Riaz Ahmad Khattak has been associated with the university as a vice chancellor since 2012. During his tenure, CECOS has made an outstanding progress and has secured a unique place and international reputation through his ability to combine excellence, creativity & intellectual rigor with agility, professionalism & sustainability. A well-known educationist of national and international repute and a versatile personality, He graduated from Peshawar University as a Gold medallist and obtained President’s of Pakistan Award and holds a PhD and Post Doctorate in Soil and Environmental Sciences from University of California, USA. He has held numerous academic leadership positions including Chairman and Dean. He retired in 2010 as a Meritorious Professor (Grade 22) from Agriculture University Peshawar, which is a rare honour. He produced 111 MS and 15 PhD students having 160 publications in international journals to his credit.

Dr. Khattak is recipient of Best University Teacher Award (HEC), Productive Scientist Award (MOST), Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK and has served as President Soil Science Society of Pakistan.