US Consul General Robert G Reed America visited University of Peshawar and met Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, besides visiting Lincoln’s corner at the Central Library and Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Ms Tammy Paltchikov, Public Affairs Officer US Consulate also accompanied the Consul General.
“The students of the University are regularly kept informed about the prevailing situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the region,” said Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz while briefing the delegation. He added University of Peshawar was host to around two thousand Fata students, and was offering seats at normal fee tariff to the Afghans applicants in various disciplines.
The vice chancellor informed the delegation that moves like the blasphemous movie had badly affected the sentiments of Muslims around the world and same was the case with University of Peshawar students. He said winning the hearts and minds of the local population was the main challenge that the US was confronted with, in the pursuit of war against terrorism.
Prof. Qibla said that the varsity was focusing on strengthening the co-curricular activities to reduce their vulnerability in leisure time, he added.
He went on to say that as a remedy for removal of psychological trauma in the war affected area, University of Peshawar had started special diploma courses is clinical psychology so that professionals could be produced in the field and further work in the terrorism affected areas.
“Pursuing journalism in Pakistan has become challenging owing to the prevailing situation in the country,” said Robert G Reed on his visit to the Journalism Department. He added the field of journalism had gained more importance in the past decade, as a consequence to the appetite for information among the general public.
Ms. Tammy Paltchikov, Public Affairs Officer US Consulate said that a sum of $10,000 had been allocated for the renovation the Lincolns corner and work on the same would commence soon. The delegation also visited campus radio and the Peshawar University Broadcasting Academy in the Journalism Department.
