Students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DME) at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) gained hands-on exposure to large-scale industrial operations during a focused visit to Attock Refineries Limited (ARL) in Morgah, Rawalpindi.
Organized by Engr. Muhammad Asif, Lab Engineer at DME, and accompanied by Dr. Asad Asghar Janjua, the delegation of BS Mechanical Engineering and B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering Technology students toured ARL’s refinery complex and power house. The visit gave participants a rare opportunity to observe real-time operations, learn about maintenance regimes and workshop management, and study industry-leading safety practices in action.
During the tour, ARL engineers delivered detailed technical briefings covering routine and preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and the coordination required to keep refinery systems running safely and efficiently. Emphasis was placed on practical problem-solving, adherence to global safety standards, and the operational challenges faced by modern refineries. Students were able to see how classroom theories translate to operational procedures on the plant floor, from rotating equipment diagnostics to control-room monitoring and power generation systems.
The visit also addressed career development. ARL representatives outlined internship programs, trainee schemes, and potential employment pathways for IIUI graduates, offering guidance on the skills and competencies most valued by refinery employers. The exchange closed with a question-and-answer session where students probed technical topics and sought advice on career planning.
“This visit brought textbook concepts to life and showed our students the operational realities of a major refinery,” said Dr. Asad Asghar Janjua, faculty companion on the trip. “Seeing maintenance practices, safety systems, and the power house up close gives students a clearer sense of the skills they must build to succeed in industry.”
The event reflects DME’s ongoing effort to bridge academia and industry through experiential learning opportunities. By exposing students to contemporary industrial environments and potential employers, the department aims to strengthen technical competency and improve employability for graduating engineers.
IIUI mission is to transform the society by promoting education, training, research, technology, and collaboration for reconstruction of human thought in all its forms on the foundations of Islam.