The King Abdullah Campus of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir University (UAJK) in Pakistan was formally launched by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The generous $90 million gift from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through SFD was used to fund the King Abdullah campus.
The initiative was launched by SFD’s Director General of Asia Operations, Dr. Saud bin Ayed Al-Shammari in the presence of Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s President, H.E. Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry. Along with other representatives from both sides, the inauguration ceremony was attended by Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, and Professor Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
According to the press release, “The King Abdullah Campus is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts 15 academic departments, as well as administration blocks, housing, a library, a mosque, a state-of-the-art auditorium, and other necessary amenities.”
The new campus, which will provide cutting-edge research and educational opportunities while supporting the sustainable socio-economic development of Pakistan, is estimated to benefit over 10,000 students, academic members, and staff people.
In particular, SDG4, Quality Education, SDG5, Gender Equality, SDG8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG11, Sustainable Cities and Local Communities, will all be achieved with the support of the new campus.
Dr. Saud bin Ayed Al-Shammari, Director General of SFD’s Asia Operations, stated: “SFD’s contributions to the King Abdullah Campus reconstruction after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake stemmed from the Fund’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s sustainable development through the development of social infrastructure.
The successful long-term relationship between SFD and Pakistan which has spanned more than 47 years has led to the creation of this project.
