A delegation from the British Council, led by Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Head of Non-Formal Education, and Mr. Aun Naqvi, NFE Manager, visited the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) to discuss collaboration under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and its Green Youth Movement (GYM).
IIUI Vice President (Research & Enterprise) Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, along with senior university officials, welcomed the delegates at the new campus. Dr. Shuja shared that the university is working on similar themes as those promoted by the Higher Education Commission, British Council and PMYP, particularly in sustainability, youth development, and skill-building, making IIUI a strong partner for such collaborations.
The visit focused on bilateral Terms of Reference (ToRs) for cooperation in youth training and development. Delegates also briefed about a 16-hour course under the British Council’s framework and the cascade training plan for universities, being implemented with the support of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). These initiatives aim to enhance youth capacity-building across Pakistan’s higher education institutions.
Dr. Sarah Amir, Academic In-Charge of the Department of Environmental Science and focal person of the Green Youth Movement Club at IIUI, in a presentation, reviewed last year’s initiatives at both male and female campuses under the PMYP and GYM, including seminars, awareness drives, plantation campaigns, and sustainability projects. She also highlighted the establishment of the Youth Development Center (YDC) at IIUI, headed by Ms. Madiha Akram, In-Charge, YDC, which serves as a hub for student facilitation and youth engagement.
Dr. Hafiz Ghufran, Director Students Affairs, underlined the inclusion of water conservation in the thematic areas of climate action, while Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed elaborated on the five thematic areas of the British Council’s non-formal education initiatives. Prof. Dr. Amna Mahmood emphasized the active participation of female students in training and leadership programs, and Dr. Asma stressed the importance of outreach and communication in promoting youth initiatives through media visibility.
The GYM Club at IIUI has become an active platform for student-led projects, including research-based competitions, campus cleanliness drives, and international collaborations. Dr. Sara also referred to Qatar-supported projects facilitated by the British Council, underscoring that education and sustainability remain central to IIUI’s youth development agenda.
Concluding the session, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed reaffirmed IIUI’s commitment to expand its collaboration with the British Council, HEC, and PMYP to create new opportunities for student training, internships, faculty development, and global partnerships.