“Bahria University Will Enhance Its Presence”

Vice Admiral (r) Shahid Iqbal, Rector Bahria University

Vice Admiral (r) Shahid Iqbal HI (M), the Rector of Bahria University,  gave an exclusive interview to Pique and talked about Bahira University and his experience as a rector. Vice Admiral (r) Shahid was commissioned in the Operation Branch of the Pakistan Navy in 1974. He is the  recipient of the  prestigious national award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). He joined Bahria University in February, 2012.

Bahria University is ISO Certified and has been awarded highest ‘W’ category by HEC. How do you feel about it?

A: I feel proud about this fact because it’s not easy to get recognition from ISO and highest W category, as Bahria University has to work very hard and has to show promising achievements to have these recognitions.

 What are other achievement of Bahria University?

I would like to share  another remarkable achievement that Bahria  graduates are well received in the corporate sector. The market has demand for our students and the reason is that Bahria University not only focuses on their educational progress but we groom our students in all aspects. Being the rector, I feel that personality grooming is the most important factor because we want that our students not only get recognized as knowledgeable individuals but also good citizens.

Bahria University has campuses in all 3 major cities of Pakistan. Do you think they all are maintaining the same quality and performance?

I will be very honest here. I think that age and experience impacts the performance and quality. But nonetheless, administration of the Bahria University is making every effort to maintain great quality in all campuses and gradually, we will achieve our target.

Talking about Lahore campus: What is your vision regarding Lahore campus as Lahore has a very competitive educational environment?

I do agree with you that it’s a very competitive educational environment there but Bahria University is inclined to enhance and engrave its footprint in all major cities of Pakistan. So, we thought that Lahore is one of the important cities of Pakistan and absence of the Bahria University there wouldn’t have been good for its reputation. So, we thought to get into Lahore as it’s very famous for its educational environment and looking at the W category recognition from HEC, I am sure that slowly and gradually we will make a good space for ourselves.

As a Rector, do you think that Pakistan’s educational system needs any changes?

I have been on the rector post for one and a half year now and according to my experience, things are going in the right direction because traditional way of teaching has been replaced by more research and practical work. It’s the era of research and universities have to actually develop intellectual capital so that they can contribute in the economic growth of the country because studies, research and economic growth are directly proportional.

Do you facilitate students by providing them career guidance?

I think it’s another important facet as universities should provide career guidance and consultancy to the students and we are very mindful of this requirement. That is why, we have a separate department but I do think we need to pay more attention to this department and for that, we are already in the process of reorganizing the student affair department and I am sure, this department will give good output in student counseling.

We already talked about career guidance issue. What problems do you think are faced by students in Pakistan?

Lack of inter-personal skills and lack of confidence is the main issue. Enrolling into a university provides many opportunities to the student in developing good personality over-all. We conduct seminars, extra-curricular activates, workshops and our faculty make sure that we groom our students really well.

Any message or advice for upcoming students?

I would like to say that students should research about their career choices according to their interests before applying in a university to have a bright future, rest of the guidance will be provided by us. Plus, I’d like to advise them to take part in all university’s activities because they help them in developing their skills in one way or other.