The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) of Mirpur University of Science and Technology MUST, Mirpur AJ&K successfully concluded the National Outreach Training Program for Faculty Development which commenced from February 6th to February 25th 2025. The initiative was undertaken by the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Higher Education Commission of Pakistan aimed to enhance the Teaching, Learning & Evaluation skills of the Faculty Members of Mirpur University, the program was made possible through a grant of PKR 3.5 million awarded by NAHE to the Mirpur University. To make this initiative a reality at Mirpur University Brig (R) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus Javed SI (M), Vice Chancellor MUST entrusted the responsibility of coordinating the Faculty Development Training Program to Prof. Dr. Khurram Pervez Amber, Director Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), who gracefully & professionally took on the responsibilities. Nearly thirty participants from various departments were selected through a comprehensive process to undergo training on nine modules including, Teaching as a Profession in Higher Education, Academic Planning & Implementation by University Teachers, Psychological Well-being of Higher Education Teachers and Learners, Communication Skills for Higher Education Teaching, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education Teaching, Research & Development, Higher Educational Administration and Management, Technology Integrations in Higher Education Teaching, Microteaching / Teaching Practicum at Higher Education Level I & II and HEC Policies Orientation. Sessions were conducted from 0830 to1630 including Saturdays & Sundays Resource persons from esteemed institutions including Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University Muzaffarabad and UET Texla facilitated the training.

Brigadier Younus Javed, VC MUST Mirpur AJ&K along with Deans of the Faculties, Principal Officers & Head of the Department warmly received Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director (MD) NAHE-HEC upon her arrival at City Campus, accompanied by Mr. Ghulam Murtaza, Assistant Director NAHE. In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Khuram Pervez Amber, Coordinator of NAHE expressed his gratitude to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the Vice Chancellor of MUST for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the development of the faculty. He reflected the positive feedback from the distinguished Resource Persons on multimedia who praised the Vice Chancellor for his personal engagement & the exceptional care extended to them during their stay. The resource persons also thanked the NAHE Coordinator and appreciated the faculty for their active participation, enthusiasm & impressive aptitude for learning. Faculty members shared their experiences on the training, stressing its importance & expressing their thanks to the Resource Persons.

While addressing the participants Brigadier Younus Javed extended thanks to Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director (MD) NAHE-HEC & Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director Higher Education Commission for their exceptional support to MUST and for providing the opportunity for the Faculty of the University to enhance their knowledge & skills. He also praised the remarkable efforts of Prof. Dr. Khuram Pervez, Coordinator of NAHE, and his team for their excellent coordination & successful execution of the training program. He also thanked Dr. Mian Zeeshan, Chairperson of Pharmacy Department for facilitating the program. He emphasized that the thirty participants trained through this National Outreach Training Program should now take the initiative to train their colleagues at the University.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director (MD) NAHE-HEC praised Brigadier Younus Javed, Vice Chancellor MUST for personally overseeing every aspect of the training program, an unprecedented level of involvement that is rarely seen in any other University. Moreover she commented that the dedication with which the faculty members engaged in the training is highly appreciated Director also commended Prof. Dr. Khuram Pervez for his hard work in making the best use of the funds allocated by NAHE. The multimedia presentation by Dr. Khuram Pervez, which highlighted various aspects of the training, received special appreciation from Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director (MD) NAHE-HEC. She further assured that NAHE would continue to support MUST in similar projects and initiatives in the future. Dr. Malik emphasised that NAHE’s goal is to equip all higher education faculty with new teaching skills and techniques and she praised MUST’s efforts in working towards this objective. She congratulated all the trainees for successfully completing their training and after listening to the feedback from the faculty members, she expressed full confidence that all 30 participants are now thoroughly equipped to deliver this knowledge as master trainers.

The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. Naeem Iqbal Ratyal, Registrar MUST, Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities/Director Faculty of MUST Business School, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sajid, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Dr. Rashida Hussain, Dean Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mr. Kamran Hameed, Controller of Examinations along with Chairpersons, Directors, Faculty Members, Administrative Officers & Students of the University. Certificates were presented to the participants as well as to the Coordinator of NAHE and the QEC team. Shields were exchanged between Vice Chancellor and Director of NAHE. Mr. Ghulam Murtaza, Assistant Director of NAHE, also received a shield, the closing ceremony was exceptionally hosted by Dr. Muhammad Aamir.