SWAT: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said here on Thursday that promotion of higher education was the top priority of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government and mega education projects were being undertaken across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He was addressing the convocation for 2015 to 2018 academic sessions of Swat University. MNA Saleemur Rehman, Dr Haider Ali, MPA Sharafat Ali, Azizullah Gran and DDAC chairman Fazal Hakim Khan also attended the function besides university teachers, students and educationists.

Swat University vice-chancellor Prof Dr Hasan Sher Khan presided over the convocation.

The chief minister said that higher education institutions were being set up in all the districts of the province, including merged tribal districts, while full-fledged measures were being taken to strengthen the existing institutions.

Mahmood Khan attends Swat University convocation

He said since the local government elections were approaching and he would not announce a new development plan as it was against the code of conduct.

He added that he respected the rules and regulations of all the institutions, including the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He said that several universities were being set up in Malakand division where, in near future, students from different parts of the country would come to get higher education.

“Apart from other universities, the first veterinary university of the province is being established in Swat. In near future Malakand division will be the hub of educational activities,” he said.

The chief minister said that the PTI government was giving equal focus to development of all the districts.

“Special technology zones are being set up to adapt university education to modern requirements and market needs and to teach students the needed skills. A special technology zone has also been set up in Hazara division while similar technology zones will be set up in South, Malakand and Mardan regions as well,” he said.

The chief minister said that putting Swat University on its feet was his personal desire and he was happy that his desire was being fulfilled.

“Unfortunately, despite having its own land, the university was housed in a rented building, but I am happy that the first phase of construction works in the university has been completed while work on the second phase will be started soon,” he said.

Mahmood Khan said that the government would take every possible step to resolve all the problems of Swat University on a priority basis. He also congratulated the successful students.

About 220 graduates were awarded degrees, while 24 MA/MSc and two PhD scholars also received degrees whereas 108 students were awarded gold medals.

Earlier, the vice-chancellor welcomed the chief minister and other guests and briefed them about various activities of the university.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022