The Dawn of New Academic Era in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Mirpur University of Science & Technology, was established in August 2008 under a Presidential Ordinance of XVIII of 2008 after integration of three entities of The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, namely, Ali Ahmed Shah University College of Engineering & Technology, The University College of Home Economics and the Institute of Islamic Studies.
Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST) is presently located in three campuses, the main one is situated on Allama Iqbal Road opposite to the District Courts where seven departments namely: Electrical, Computer System Engineering, Electrical Technology, Power, Software, Civil and Mechanical under faculty of Engineering, five Departments under faculty of Sciences namely: Biotechnology, Chemistry, CS&IT, Mathematics, and Physics and four departments of faculty of Arts namely: Islamic Studies, Law, Education, and Business Administration are working. Directorate of Student Affairs, Board of Advanced Studies and Research, ORIC, Sports and NTC offices are also present in city campus.
This City Campus is the main hub of education due to which its buildings are designed in this way that it comprises of the Central Library, auditorium, hostels, mosque, student cafeterias, some outdoor sports facilities, big lecture halls, conference halls, spacious labs, parking zone are some of the facilities available in the city campus.
The second campus is located on Allama Iqbal Road adjacent to Girls Degree College. In this campus there is an administrative block, department of Home Economics and Zoology. The girl’s hostel is also located in this campus.
The third campus is stationed at District Bhimber on DC Road near Girls Degree College. Three departments are working there namely: Botany, English and Economics with possibly more being added in the near future.
MUST always looks forward to welcoming successful performers being only one institution in territory of Azad Kashmir for teaching and training Graduates in Engineering, Sciences and in Arts & Humanities. The University as an institution of higher learning is devoted to promote the general advancement of knowledge and understanding and the development of every student to his/her highest potential so that each may make the maximum contribution to the improvement of the standards, mores, and scientific and cultural climate of all people. In this standpoint MUST in collaboration with HEC has offered 92 Need based scholarships worth 10.609 million for students securing good positions in class but financial hardships are the main encumbrance in their studies. This scheme will be continued in the forth coming session and the number of scholarships will be 100 in this time so that needy but talented student could avail maximum opportunity.In pursuit of excellence in education, and to enhance the skills of their graduates MUST dedicates itself to adopting a curriculum that embodies and promotes academic specialization and professional education while maintaining a continuous process of institutional self-assessment and adaptation to meet the rapidly changing needs of society.
MUST provides its own internet facility along with its own internal Network so that all students can access it from their own departments and for this purpose NTC was established. The University intends holding online Courses in collaboration with other Universities both local and foreign. These courses could be on subjects in which required expertise is not available. Interactive desktop video conferencing for discussions on research topics can also be one of the possible future developments with a view to enhance facilities for higher education and research in the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and the adjoining areas, in the field of Science & Technology. Commendable services rendered by these institutions are praiseworthy. The students having been bestowed upon degrees in their respective disciplines, mentioned above, are ardently serving the nation, and the humanity at large, at home and abroad. The new status heralds a new sign of revolutionary uplift of education.
Evidently, there are certain requirements, rather pressing ones; first and foremost is that of land. Out of total requirement of 5000 Kanals, 4800 Kanals have already been awarded. University shall be shifted to its new location; a picturesque spot Sainse, 15 kilometres away from the city on the main Mirpur-Bhimber road. It may fulfil the requirements of future expansion at least for five decades. The calm and peaceful environment is conducive to academic and research activities.
The new university with the name of MUST is really a beginning of new era in terms of imparting quality education. Ours is a propitious transformation from smaller to bigger, from lower to higher and from better to the best in the real sense of the term. Our qualified staff is devoted to the very cause of sublime and perfection. The veteran staff, embodiment of professionalism, is involved in class work along with research and other scholarly activities. Living in this age of marvellous scientific and technological achievements, advancements in these fields are intrinsically of paramount importance.
Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), Mirpur A.K differs in its character from AJ&K University Muzaffarabad by its high powered body “Senate”; a body with full integrity of formulating statutes, rules and regulations, purchasing, maintaining and disposing of moveable and immovable property, creation and abolition of posts and maintenance of academic and administrative disciplines. Such a body is non-existent in AJ&K University.
Our new born university, MUST is endeavouring its best to take up the challenges of the day and come up to the national expectations and aspirations. We are equipping our laboratories with modern apparatus so that we may be able to quench the thirst of our students for knowledge. The MUST is determined to produce such graduates as to prove the grist to the mill of the nation. Enhancement of standard is our pivotal goal and we are doing our best to make the MUST worthy by all standards. It will touch the ecstasy of prominence in a short extent of time.