In an unprecedented initiative, Dr. Samreen Ayaz, a distinguished faculty member at Mirpur University of Science and Technology, has developed an innovative course tailored exclusively for first semester students, entitled “Skills for Success”. This course proposal is presented as strategic initiative part of USAID’s Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) and being offered in current semester.

This course is strategically crafted to provide students with essential tools, skills and knowledge to excel academically and thrive in their professional endeavors. Through a combination of orientation sessions, skill-building workshops, interactions with successful alumni, and engaging guest speakers, students will gain a holistic understanding of university life, time management, stress management, and practical skills relevant to their future careers. These interactive seminars will help in the academic and personal development of the students, will encourage critical thinking, will improve soft skills, and becoming aware of the university resources and expectations. Students will learn how to manage their time effectively, balance academic and extracurricular activities, and stay motivated in pursuit of their goals. These skills are essential for academic success and future career advancement.

This course aims to provide students with a strong academic foundation by offering skill-building workshops in areas such as website development, video editing tools, freelancing etc. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply these practical skills to enhance their academic performance and future career prospects and will be inspired and motivated by guest speakers who have achieved success in their respective fields.