MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Eng Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has said that educated women can play a vital role in prosperity and development of the country.

He was addressing here on Tuesday as chief guest the concluding ceremony of “Change making competition” programme organised by Women University Mardan in collaboration with British Council and YES Network.

Dr Ghazala Yasmeen, the vice-chancellor the university, chief executive officer of Yes Network Ali Raza, HEC representative Arshid Kamran, relevant officials and students were present on the occasion.

The governor said that government was taking steps to provide opportunities of higher education to women.

He said that there was only one university in the province in past but then there were dozens of universities, medical and engineering colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Jhagra said that half population of the country was consisted of women so they could not be ignored.

He said that they could perform vital role in progress and prosperity of the country.

“We cannot separate academia from society that’s why researches should be used for solutions of civic problems,” He said. He appreciated Women University Mardan for its achievements in a short span of time.

The governor said it was also a good omen that the Women University Mardan was making progress rapidly. He announced Rs1 million grant for the university and said that government would provide all necessary facilities to the university.

Earlier, Vice-chancellor Dr Ghazala Yasmeen and Ali Raza also addressed the ceremony.

Dr Ghazala thanked the governor for his visit to the university. She highlighted the achievements of the university.

Ali Raza threw lights on importance of the programme. He said under the programme, the students of the university were imparted business skills.

Later, the governor gave away certificates, prizes and medals to the participants of the programme.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2018