LARKANA: A new era of digital learning and advanced molecular research was ushered into Larkana on Friday as the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar,convened meetings with the region’s academic leadership.

The consultative session, held at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), brought together its Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nusrat Shah, Dr Nek Muhammed Shaikh of the University of Larkano and Prof. Dr Saleem Raza Samo, vice-chancellor of Quaid-i-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST) Nawabshah. Also in attendance was Dr Zahida Abro, head of the Szabist Larkana campus, alongside senior HEC officials and focal persons. Modernising medical education

During an extensive tour of Chandka Medical College and the Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, the HEC chairman reviewed existing infrastructure before formally inaugurating a state-of-the-art smart classroom. This facility is designed to integrate advanced digital tools into the traditional medical curriculum, bridging the gap between local education and global standards.

In a move to champion holistic student wellbeing, the chairman also launched the SMBBMU Sports Week 2026. Demonstrating his commitment to student engagement, he participated in a friendly badminton match, urging undergraduates to balance academic rigour with physical health. Advancement in genetic research

A key highlight of the visit was the review of the HEC-funded “Centre for Advanced Research in Molecular, Genetic and Allied Facilities” at the SMBBMU. The chairman expressed his satisfaction with the project’s trajectory, noting that the commission has significantly expanded its funding pool to incentivise such high-impact and collaborative research. He commended Prof Dr Nusrat Shah’s vision, stating that faculty-led innovation is the primary engine for Pakistan’s socio-economic development. Support for emerging institutions

The chairman concluded his visit at the nascent University of Larkano, where he was briefed by Dr Abid Ali Shah on the institution’s administrative framework and future expansion plans.

Recognising the university’s potential, the chairman discussed strategies for enhancing academic quality and governance to ensure the new institution meets the rigorous standards required for international accreditation.

The visit signals a robust commitment from the HEC to decentralise high-quality resources, ensuring that the students of Upper Sindh have access to the same technological and research opportunities as those in the country’s metropolitan hubs.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026