We are fortunate that the state of Bahawalpur had such far-sighted and knowledgeable rulers who were well aware of the importance of education for the development of the state and the welfare of the people. Not only that, but the rulers were well aware of the importance of higher education, religious education as well as secular sciences, especially social sciences and modern sciences based on science and technology. This realization led to the establishment of the unique and important Abbasia University, one of its kind in the Indian subcontinent, which was in fact the custodian of the monument of Islamic renaissance and the great intellectual heritage. The rulers of Bahawalpur state founded a university in Bahawalpur in the style of Al-Azhar University in Egypt, which will spread the light of knowledge all over the world. The initial form of Islamia University Bahawalpur came in the form of Madrasa Sadr Uloom, which emerged in 1925 in the form of Jamia Abbasia.
In 1950, on the orders of his highness Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V, a magnificent building was constructed adjacent to Sadiq Egerton College and thus the main campus of Abbasi University came into existence, which is the identity of this university today and the Old Campus and Abbasia Campus. It is also known as the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat, the headquarters of the university administration, the faculty of law, hostels and guest houses as well as a playground. In 1963, then president of Pakistan, field marshal general Muhammad Ayub Khan visited Jamia Abbasia and renamed it Jamia Islamia in the context of Islamic identity of Jamia Abbasia. The Jamia Abbasia, established by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, was later chartered by the Punjab Assembly as Jamia Islamia and in 1975 as the Islamic University of Bahawalpur.
At present the University has three campuses in Bahawalpur and one each in Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. Abbasia Campus covers an area of 26 acres, Baghdad Al Jadeed Campus 1257 acres, Khawaja Farid (Railway Campus) 3 acres, while Bahawal Nagar and Rahim Yar Khan Campuses cover an area of 50 acres and 80 acres respectively. Today, the university has become a modern, functional and thriving institution with its magnificent teaching buildings, lush green fields, modern style hostels, residential colonies, farmhouses and gardens reflecting the beauty of the university. The university currently has 16 faculties while the number of departments is 132. The number of male and female students is more than 55,000 for which there are more than 1,000 full time and 800 part time teachers available of whom more than 500 teachers have PhD.
On July 26, 2019, the Punjab government assigned the responsibility of Islamia University to Vice Chancellor Engineer Prof. Dr. Athar Mehboob. Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboobis known as a renowned educator and ideal administrator and who has 25 years of extensive experience working in teaching, research and industrial organizations. He received his PhD in electrical engineering from the National University of Science and Technology, and his BS and MS from Florida State University, USA. He served as professor and dean at Safa University Defense Housing Authority Karachi. He has also served at a high level in a number of public and private sector organizations. Dr. Athar Mehboob Ibn Khaldun is the founder of systems and has done projects in more than 100 industrial, financial and defense related organizations. As a versatile and ingenious working person, he holds a unique position in his beloved homeland as a renowned engineer, administrator, educator and industrialist. The Government of Pakistan awarded him the Medal of Distinction in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding services in the fields of science and technology and education.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob desires to see modern and active universities, which are always dynamic and bring practical benefits to the country and nation through teaching and research. Along with research, they also play a vital role in the social and economic development of the region. To this end, universities need to be efficient, financially self-sufficient in administrative matters and equipped with information technology to automate all matters and ensure speed and transparency. Provision is very important so that they can continue their activities unilaterally. He believes in teamwork and everyone should work side by side for the development of the university. His arrival at the university brought about a clear and positive change in the faculty, students and the local community. This historic university has to adapt to its great heritage as well as the demands of modern times. The personality of Dr.Mahboob and his vast experience and full commitment is a clear indication that Jamia Islamia will become a great modern university. He said that the community would be benefited by making full use of university resources and the number of students would be doubled. He had vowed to make Islamia University Bahawalpur one of the top 100 universities in the world. In just 20 months, he made Islamia University Bahawalpur one of the top 1,000 universities in the world. It is noteworthy that only 17 universities of Pakistan are included in this list.
Admission policy at Islamia University Bahawalpur has been restructured. To this end, the directorate of academics, the directorate of IT and the directorate of outreach communications and public relations were tasked with a mega admissions campaign. For the first time, a big admission campaign was organized. After 37,000 admissions in spring 2021, the number of students in the university is 46,000 and now in Fall 2021, the number of students has increased to 55,000 after 1,25,000 applications. Governor Punjab and Chancellor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar is also in the show and appreciated the efforts of Dr.Mahboob in running a successful admission campaign in Islamia University Bahawalpur despite the crisis.
Recruitment was introduced at all levels in the teaching and management sector to increase the capable and hardworking manpower in the process of development and expansion of the university. So far 13 selection boards and 29 selection committees have been formed through which appointment of 2,218 teaching and non-teaching staff has been effected. Similarly, the number of faculty has also been increased from 550 to 1,200 so that separate manpower is available for teaching and research and also the quality is greatly increased. About 808 teachers were appointed including professors, associate professors and assistant professors. The appointment of regular registrar and controller of examinations came into effect after ten years in the university. Similarly new appointments of additional controller examinations, additional registrar, assistant controller examinations and assistant registrar were also made. 264 new teachers were promoted and posted through selection board.
Large-scale development projects are being implemented by the vice-chancellor for the process of extraordinary development and expansion of the university. For this purpose, plans for five major mega projects in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are in full swing. There was also a recent mega project worth Rs4 Billion for academic block hostel at Jamia Islamia, Ahmadpur East Sub Campus, Institute of Physics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Agri Business, Bahawalnagar Sub Campus. Four hostels with a capacity of 1,000 residents have been activated. Approval of five new academic blocks for Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar under three year development plan are also included. Now 250 megawatt solar power plant is functional.
Provincial Minister for Energy Dr. Akhtar Malik laid the foundation stone of a 2.5 MW solar energy project at Islamia University Bahawalpur. The project became operational in October 2021. The solar energy project to be set up at Islamia University Bahawalpur is generating 3.906 million units of electricity annually, which will save Rs70 million.
Islamia University Bahawalpur has launched a major project to cultivate 140 acres of barren land of the university for acquisition of agricultural produce, supply of quality seeds and promotion of research. Under this scheme, production of vegetables, fruits and herbs through unconventional farming methods is in various stages.
Islamia University Bahawalpur Department of Horticulture, in the initial phase of its unique project, has not only cultivated 25 acres of barren land but has also planted 19 varieties of vegetables, 12 varieties of ornamental flowers and seasonal fruits.
Islamia University Bahawalpur has secured the status of a fourth generation university following an agreement with two reputed companies regarding the sale of cotton seeds. The sale rights of Jamia Islamia’s cotton variety IUB222 were given to Kunzo Quality Seeds, Multan and the sale rights of cotton variety IUB13, MM58 were given to Sun Crop Group, Multan. Head of the department of plant breeding and genetics and director research at Islamia University described the latest research in cotton and its effective variety to compete with whiteflies, leaf-twisting viruses and bean sprouts. In this regard, the Agriculture Minister Hussain Jahanian Gardezi said that the agricultural research conducted at the Islamic University Bahawalpur is commendable. University research for important crops such as cotton and the most important varieties that emerge as a result is an example for other universities. Steps have been taken by the government to rehabilitate important and cash crops like cotton. The varieties of cotton introduced by the college are being applied on more than 40 percent of the cultivated area of cotton in the country. Dr Muhammad Iqbal Bandisha has also been included in the National Committee for Cotton Rehabilitation.
In addition, Islamia University Bahawalpur, as the fourth generation university, has offered the sowing of seeds prepared by the university for trial cultivation to the farming community. Dr.Bandisha, who is also the head of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, said that cotton varieties IUB-04 and IUB-21 have excellent yield, low water, high temperature. It has excellent performance against leaf marrow virus and white fly. According to the vision of Dr.Mehboob, contact with the societies and promotion of agricultural research for the welfare of the farmers is important for the university.
A research center will be set up at Islamia University Bahawalpur for the promotion of intercropping technology through Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Sichuan Agriculture University. According to Dr. Mehboob, Pakistan’s growing food needs can be successfully met by utilizing this technology, especially by increasing the production of edible oil. Foreign exchange can be saved and food supply for livestock can be improved. Nature has provided Pakistan with the best natural source of solar energy which can make better use of intercropping technology, said the vice chancellor. In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be signed with Sichuan University, under which 20 students from Islamia University, Bahawalpur will be sent to China on scholarships for PhD.
Dr. Mehboob said that the development of the great friendly neighboring country is an excellent example for us. To benefit from this, students and teachers will be exchanged with Chinese universities to promote the exchange of scientific research and technology. The local farming community could also benefit from the establishment of a research center at Jaske and Islamia University Bahawalpur. He said that next year would mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.
Islamia University Bahawalpur has issued award letters to the faculty members for 42 research projects worth Rs32.5 million. Islamia University Bahawalpur has attained the status of fourth generation university and is playing its role in the long-term development of the country through its ongoing teaching, research, patent and commercial scale research. Commercial sales of IUB 222, MM58 and IUB13 types have started, which is a great honor for Islamia University Bahawalpur, which has become the first university in this field to sell its research products. It is noteworthy that the university has allocated Rs100 million for research purposes from its own resources, which is an excellent example in Pakistani universities.
Having the best IT setup is essential for a fast growing and expanding university. Islamia University Bahawalpur did not pay much attention to the IT sector but Dr.Mehboob took immediate steps to equip the teaching and non-teaching departments with information technology to ensure speed and transparency in all matters. Thanks to these initiatives, Islamia University Bahawalpur Code 19 proved to be the first university to cope with the crisis where online classes and examinations were made possible for 40,000 on-campus and about 100,000 off-campus students. Thanks to this, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has declared a sophistication score in the online education readiness board.
Islamia University Bahawalpur is providing scholarships worth over Rs70 crore for 14,000 students. Thanks to the largest financial aid program, Islamia University Bahawalpur has become the center of attention for students and parents for admissions. The Islamia University Bahawalpur has become the largest university providing scholarships under the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Scholarship Scheme with 6,148 students.
The Punjab government has provided scholarships worth over Rs40 million to 781 students under PEF Scholarship Scheme. Under HEC/USAID, scholarships worth Rs55 lakhs were provided to 47 students. The Education Ministry provided scholarships worth Rs1.3 million to 14 female students. Similarly, under an agreement with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, scholarships worth over Rs3.3 million have been provided to 200 male and female students. In addition, Islamia University Bahawalpur will launch a program to provide financial assistance to deserving students. The program will benefit 250 students of Islamia University’s Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan campuses.
The Islamia University Bahawalpur Department of Pharmacy is already known for its high quality and excellent institution. Meanwhile, the vice chancellor, realizing the importance of the college of nursing, initiated various initiatives. He said that the number of doctors and nurses in Pakistan is less than the international ratio. Similarly, there is a shortage of professional nurses abroad. In this regard, a degree program in nursing management needs to be started so that Islamia University Bahawalpur can emerge as a major leader in this sector. The nursing council gave permission to Islamia University Bahawalpur to start four years nursing degree program. Initially 75 students were admitted.
The Islamia University Bahawalpur has been made the first hepatitis free university in the country with a massive campaign for screening and treatment of hepatitis in the university under Jamia Islamia and Hepatitis Control Program of the Punjab Government. The campaign benefited about 22,000 people including students, teachers, employees and their close relatives. An MoU was signed for the establishment of a hepatitis clinic in the university. Dr.Mehboob and the Hepatitis and Infection Control Program Manager Khalid Mahmood signed the agreement. Under the agreement, a hepatitis clinic was set up to declare Islamia University Bahawalpur a hepatitis free university. Every student, faculty member, staff and family of the university will be screened for hepatitis and will be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Moreover, the corona vaccination center was set up at the Medical Center Baghdad Al-Jadeed Campus in collaboration with the district administration and the district health authority. Vaccination has been made mandatory for employees and students. That is why a vaccination center has been set up at Islamia University Bahawalpur in collaboration with the Punjab government and district health authority so that the university community can benefit from the vaccination facility in the campus itself. The vaccination center set up at Islamia University is part of the mobile health vaccination center set up by the provincial government and the district health authority to speed up vaccinations.
Dr.Mahboob on his arrival realized that it was necessary to activate the Khawaja Farid Chair to spread the great message of Khawaja Ghulam Farid on the world stage. The best way to pay homage to the personality is to establish Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi Chair. For this purpose, Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Chair Management Committee and Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi Management Committee were formed.
In collaboration with Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the first and second trade fair in the history of Bahawalpur was organized on the occasion of the Cholistan Jeep Rally in 2020 and 2021, which was well received at the national level. On the occasion of industrial exhibition organized by the university, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar visited the university stalls and encouraged the teachers and students.
Islamia University Bahawalpur and Tourism Corporation Punjab have signed an MoU for the promotion of tourism activities. Every year on the occasion of the jeep rally, the university provides free transport service from Bahawalpur to Qila Dravar for four days. The participation of thousands of students in the rally has doubled the splendor of this festival. The establishment of directorate of tourism and department of tourism management in Islamia University Bahawalpur is playing a significant role in education and promotion of tourism. Islamia University is also taking steps to set up a tourist center in the biodiversity park near Bahawalpur Fort Dravid.
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur stands at second position all over Pakistan in sports. Islamia University Bahawalpur’s sports complex has been renovated and reopened for sports activities after a long hiatus. Dr. Mahboob also inaugurated the renovation and upgraded facilities of the sports complex.
