Lahore, March 21, 2022 (PPI-OT): Numerous Afghan students are getting their education from various Pakistani Institutes. The University of Lahore is one of the top Institutions in the private sector that is facilitating Afghan youth in the domain of capacity building. Currently, over 160 Afghan students, both male and female, are reportedly enrolled at the University of Lahore on the basis of their passports and Proof of Registration (PoR) cards in several departments though majority of them are placed under the School of Integrated Social Sciences where they are studying International Relations.
Apart from quality education, the Afghan students at UOL are actively involved in different extra-curricular activities that are molding them into all-round students. Mr. Raheem Ullah (M.Phil. student, English Literature, 2nd Semester) feels happy in sharing his fantastic experience in Pakistan generally and at UOL specifically. Despite numerous attempts to join other universities within Lahore, he ultimately chose UOL due to its well-regarded academic environment and the initial impressions of this institution. Mr. Raheem Ullah appreciates all the efforts and support given to him by Chairman’s Office, Department of ELL, and Ms. Quratulain Javed (Manager, OSA) during his stay at the UOL.
Mr. Ajmal Hajizada (BS-Social Sciences, 7th Semester) says that Life at UOL has been full of varied experiences. The constructive environment created for foreign students is truly encouraging. “I enjoy all multiple tastes from spicy paratha roll (street food) to the sweet molten lava (Desert), feel at home with all the students. The community is accommodative”, he says.
Mr. Fareed Khan (BS-International Relations, 3rd Semester), has learnt a lot of theories about people and their ideologies and life at the University is helping to appreciate the realities of the taught theories. “On campus, I interact with liberals, feminist, communists, and religious persons to have fruitful discussions”, he argues.
The faculty and students at UOL, appear to be helpful in guiding the Afghan students in all aspects. “Almost all the Afghan students who share their experiences with me, reveal that the community is so supportive in classes, cafes, cultural events, libraries, public transport etc.”, Mr. Raheem Ullah added.
Mr. Hormatullah (BS-International Relations, 3rd Semester) says that UOL has taught him many positive life changing lessons. Latifa Jawadi (BS-Optometry and Vision Sciences, 6th Semester), has many positive experiences to share about UOL. “I have not been treated as an outsider at UOL. I have not found difference in treatment between me and other Pakistani students”, she remarked.
Majority of the Afghan students are active in co-curricular activities including sports. Most of them are members of the University of Lahore’s sports club and have formed an Afghan football squad that competes in UOL’s Sports Galas to integrate into a larger community and enjoy the pleasure of physical activity and competition. Some of the students have shown their keen interest to remain in Pakistan due to its accommodative environment, but have an obligation to go back home and support their communities.
To crown it all, the UOL policy on these batches of students is to ease their transition into a new culture and collaborate with them in identifying their deficiencies and immediately fix them with the aim of preparing them a brighter future and contribute towards positive Pak-Afghan relations. Afghanistan, a war-torn nation, needs intellectuals, rationalists, and highly gifted graduates to assist in stabilizing the country and enabling it to stand on its own economic and political feet.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk