Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal, a renowned soil scientist, researcher and academician, has assumed the charge of Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar after having been appointed by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He is the 11th Vice Chancellor appointed to head the University.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal had joined the University of Agriculture, Peshawar as a Lecturer in 1982 after having completed his Bachelors and Masters with Honors in Agriculture, from the University of Peshawar in 1981. He completed his PhD in 1992 from the University of Wales, United Kingdom and his Post Doc in 2009 from the University of Aberystwyth, United Kingdom. He had been promoted to the position of Associate Professor in 1995 and a full Professor in 2000.
In an academic and professional experience spanning over 30 years, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal has held various teaching, research and administrative positions in parent department as well as in the University Administration. He has 31 research publications in numerous national and international journals as to his credit and has authored a book titled “Plant Nutrients Management Strategies in NWFP.” In appreciation of his outstanding research contribution, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal was awarded the Research Productivity Allowance by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Islamabad along with a cash prize of Rs. 60,000/- in the year 2001-01.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal had been appointed to the coveted position of Director of Teaching in 1998 with the overall responsibilities of academic planning and administration.
He soon earned the appreciation and support of the incumbent and succeeding Vice Chancellors due to his commitment, discipline and administrative qualities. He remained the Director of Teaching for over 10 years.
He was assigned additional duties of Director Quality Enhancement Cell from 2006-10 whereby he laid the solid foundation of the new Directorate, Director Video Conference Room from 2006-10 and Director Financial Aid & Development in 2010.
He was also the Focal Person for the USAID and JICA Needs Based Scholarships from 2005-10 as well as Course Coordinator for the Teacher Training Program of the National Academy for Higher Education, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal was instrumental in the establishment and launch of the Students’ Welfare Endowment Fund (SWEF), a sustainable source of scholarships for the needy and talented students of the province vying to seek higher education in the field of agriculture and allied sciences. SWEF has proved to be a model for many universities of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
He has proved himself to be a sound academician and an able administrator in his career and has the capacity to lead the University of Agriculture, Peshawar successfully.
