The 17th meeting of the Advanced Studies and Research Board (AS&RB) of Mirpur University of Science and Technology MUST, Mirpur AJ&K was presided over by Brig (R) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus Javed SI(M), Vice Chancellor MUST via video link, in the Electrical Conference Room of City Campus. The meeting began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Engr. Tahir Amin. The Vice Chancellor stressed the importance of adhering strictly to HEC guidelines regarding program durations—eight semesters for M.Phil. and sixteen for PhD. Supervisors were instructed to monitor scholars’ progress regularly and to issue formal communication in cases of delay or non-responsiveness, with notification to the respective Dean. By the sixth semester, if consistent non-performance continues, a written warning must be issued, followed by recommendations for discontinuation if progress remains unsatisfactory. The Director AS&RB will ensure timely interventions, and starting from the seventh semester, PhD supervisors must issue formal warnings highlighting the urgency of completion. Supervisors and Chairpersons will be held jointly responsible for any unjustified delays.

To uphold fairness and academic integrity, the Board decided that the same examiner should not be repeatedly assigned for thesis defenses. Departments were instructed to select new, qualified examiners for each case and to broaden their pool of supervisors. Thesis titles must be finalized with care to avoid unnecessary alterations. Adherence to thesis submission deadlines was strongly emphasized. Regarding admissions, the Board reinforced that no student may be enrolled in M.Phil. or PhD programs without passing the GAT (General) or UGAT, in compliance with HEC regulations. Any student admitted without fulfilling this requirement will be removed to maintain academic standards. The meeting was attended by following Members:

1. Prof. Dr. Anwar Khitab, Dean, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences (FH&MS)

2. Prof. Dr. Naeem Iqbal Ratyal, Registrar, MUST

3. Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities/ Director, FMBS

4. Prof. Dr. Rashida Hussain, Dean, Faculty of Natural & Applied Sciences

5. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sajid, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology

6. Prof. Dr. Faisal Riaz, Director, ORIC

7. Mr. Kamran Hameed, Controller of Examinations.

8. Engr. Dr. Anzar Mahmood, Director, AS&RB

9. Sardar Shaukat Hayat, Deputy Director, QEC

10. Dr. Rizwan Ullah, Deputy Director, AS&RB

11. Engr. Tahir Amin, Assistant Director, AS&RB

12. Engr. Zafar Iqbal, Assistant, AR&SB