Islamabad: The University of Sargodha (UoS) held its third National Conference on the “Future of Education 2025” to examine its strategic blueprint and address the changing higher education terrain. UoS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas highlighted the institution’s advancements over the last two years, focusing on academic accomplishments, research, innovation, global engagement, and public service. He shared the institution’s objective of cultivating a robust learning environment promoting critical analysis, innovative thinking, and leadership abilities, preparing pupils to thrive in a dynamic world.
Presenting key metrics, he noted a significant 63% enhancement in the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) performance in just two years. In research, UoS registered a remarkable 119% rise in output, earning it an X-Category Research University designation by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). “Our subsequent target is to secure the esteemed W-Category,” he stated.
Prof. Abbas detailed the institution’s progress in research and development, such as the establishment of a fully functional Interdisciplinary Research Center for One Health, a joint lab with Zhejiang A and F University China, and modern resources like a commercial testing facility and a business incubator.
He further underscored significant projects, including campus-wide solar power generation, a data hub, a modernized library, and the introduction of UoS Web TV, with plans to expand it into a satellite television network. UoS has also started a joint venture with China to build a cutting-edge medical facility and residential school on campus. The institution inaugurated its first overseas campus in Hainan Province, China, and co-founded a lithium battery research hub with Zaozhuang School of Technology, China.
Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Rauf-I-Azam, Vice Chancellor of Government College University Faisalabad, lauded Prof. Abbas’s forward-thinking guidance and applauded UoS’s notable accomplishments in a short span. He stressed the importance of innovation, diverse perspectives, and instructor responsibility for bolstering Pakistan’s higher education sector. He cautioned that overemphasis on standardization could stifle creativity in universities. “Education is transforming, and to stay relevant, we must be part of the global force driving change,” he stated.
The conference showcased presentations by deans and directors, including Prof. Dr. Masood Sarwar Awan, Pro Vice Chancellor; Prof. Dr. Aamir Ali, Dean of Sciences; Prof. Dr. Usman Minhas, Dean of Pharmacy; and others. They highlighted achievements, current initiatives, and future aspirations, aligning departmental goals with the institution’s vision of academic quality, technological integration, innovative teaching approaches, and global competitiveness.