LAHORE: Punjab University Department of History & Pakistan Studies commemorated the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Mughal rule in India and marked the historic arrival of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur as the founder of the Mughal dynasty.
On this occasion, Faculty of Arts & Humanities Dean Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, Department of History Chairperson Prof Dr Rukhsana Iftikhar, professors from different universities of Uzbekistan, faculty members and others were present.
Prof Iftikhar highlighted the historical and cultural legacy of Babur in Pakistan, while Prof Hussain expressed his gratitude to the Uzbek delegates for their participation.
The department considers this anniversary an important opportunity to encourage historical dialogue, interdisciplinary research and scholarly exchange. Lectures by distinguished historians, research presentations, a panel discussion, an exhibition of manuscripts and photographs, and student activities may form part of the celebrations.
The event can also provide an opportunity to engage with contemporary historiography and encourage young researchers to reassess the Mughal period through primary sources and modern historical scholarship.
Later, the Uzbek delegation called on Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah.
During the meeting, the VC emphasised that international academic collaborations were vital for advancing research excellence, fostering innovation, and strengthening global academic engagement.
Earlier, Punjab University and Nazarbayev University (NU), Kazakhstan, signed a letter of intent (LoI) to promote academic, educational and research collaboration between the two leading higher education institutions.
In this regard, a signing ceremony was held at PU VC’s office on Friday. PU VC Prof Shah, Prof Dr Rehan Sadiq from Nazarbayev University Kazakhstan, External Linkages Director Prof Dr Yaamina Salman and others were present.
The LoI aims to strengthen institutional cooperation by fostering collaborative research in areas of mutual academic interest, promoting faculty, scholar and researcher exchange for teaching and research, facilitating reciprocal student exchange programmes, and jointly organising training programmes, workshops, seminars and conferences.
According to the agreement, both universities will explore articulation pathways for academic degree programmes, including joint, dual and double degree arrangements, subject to the approval of relevant regulatory authorities.
In his remarks, Prof Shah said that international academic partnerships are essential for enhancing research excellence, innovation and global engagement. He expressed confidence that the collaboration with NU would create valuable opportunities for faculty members, researchers and students of both institutions.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026