The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah has said that the Islamia College, Peshawar during its 100 years of glory, has served the nation as a spring of knowledge and light and as such, it can rightly be called the mother of educational institutions in the province. The nation also acknowledged its services with appreciation and publication of its image, first on Rs.100 and then on Rs.1000 notes is one such example.
Addressing as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Centenary celebrations of the institution at Governor’s House, Peshawar on Monday evening, the Governor further pointed out that having become a public sector university in 2008, this institution is setting new goals and facing new challenges as well. “Having proud of its past in its credit, it has to move ahead with a futuristic approach. Being college, it was the first choice of every student of the Province for admission to higher secondary level and let us hope that as a University it becomes the dream-home of every student for higher studies, and attracts the best lot. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during his visit here in 1948 has expressed the desire to have a university here, and as a result the University of Peshawar was established two years later, he remarked. The ceremony was largely attended by educationists, researchers, scholars, students and elite of the city. The Governor hosted dinner in honour of the participants and said that hosting this grand function at the Governor’s House is meant to realize that the all those who remained associated with Islamia College do have a special relationship with him as Chancellor of the university. He also announced cash prize of Rs.ten thousands each for the students who presented anthem of the college.
Elaborating the services of the institution, the Governor who is also its Chancellor, further remarked that its graduates led the nation a whole century and the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah knew its potential. Inspired by the Quaid’s visits of Islamia College, its students became the torch-bearers of the two nation theory. Great institutions are made of great people, rather than grand buildings and rich assets and let us pray that its coming 100 years are even more glorious than the past ones, and it serves the nation and humanity with enhanced spirit”, he remarked.
He also deeply congratulated the faculty and students of the Islamia College and pointed out that if they will present themrselves as great people, the nation and the state will reward them with due appreciation. He also assured his full support in strengthening Islamia College Peshawar as a University and expressed the hope that with the dynamic leadership of the vice chancellor; the qualified faculty and the bright students they can perform wonders.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor Dr. Ihsan Ali highlighted the salient features of the achievements as well as the future goals of the institution. He said that the ceremonies will be arranged by each and every department; subordinate institution; hostels and the staff and students organization during the entire next year. Besides, he added, all those who remained associated with this institution in any capacity especially the founders who went abroad after independence and their descendants are being contacted individually to ensure sustenance of their relationship with this institution.
