Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, President IIUI, called on H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Chancellor, IIUI at Aiwan e Sadr on Thursday.
In the meeting, President Dr. Arif Alvi stressed that linkage of academia with industry is a prerequisite for the country’s progress and applicable research according to the market trends is the need of the hour. He said Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization and Business Incubation Centers launched by HEC must be well utilized by all the universities to know the market requirements and contemporary trends.
The President of Pakistan emphasized that skilled youth is imperative for the country’s bright future and we must focus on technical education and vocational training. IIUI Chancellor also urged the universities to broaden the scope of their education systems by promoting virtual dissemination of knowledge in order to increase the number of graduates in the country. He also advised IIUI to double the educational shifts in the University. The president of Pakistan said that the university needed to equip its students with soft skills, such as critical thinking, effective communication and teamwork, besides providing technical/hard skills.
Underscoring the increasing importance of online education, the President said that online contents of the knowledge needed to be enhanced as distance learning is cost-effective and easily accessible and duly recognized worldwide. H.E. President Arif Alvi also emphasized the need to launch two-year Associate Degree Programs in order to fulfill the market’s growing demand for skilled graduates.
The President of Pakistan asked to develop and strengthen online mode of learning by opting for online learning resources with the help of HEC to provide updated learning facilities to the faculty and students.
On the occasion, The President of Pakistan/Chancellor, IIUI was briefed By IIUI Rector and President on the implementation of new organogram and its implementation at the faculty level in the light of university’s strategic plan. The President of Pakistan was also briefed about the administrative reforms initiated at the university such as provision of the peaceful milieu for students, while he was also apprised on enhanced resource optimization and efforts of digitization.
IIUI Rector said on the occasion that the university, in the guidance of prudent vision of the Chancellor, is striving to enhance its ties with industry and it is focusing on producing knowledge relevant to the needs of society. The IIUI President apprised the honorable President of Pakistan about the university’s overall efforts under the newly launched strategic plan and progress of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) initiative of the university.
On this occasion, University Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Jumani, Vice President for Research and Enterprise، Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, Director Office of President of University, Abdullah Jazi Al Aldossari, Deputy Director, Saqib Rashid and Assistant Director Al Hasan were also present on this occasion.