MARDAN, April 22, 2026 — The second National Festival of Ideas, Art and Innovation concluded at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, bringing together students from across Pakistan for a three-day series of competitions and creative activities.
More than 600 students and artists from 73 universities participated in the event, organised by the university’s Provost Office in collaboration with the Directorate of Youth Affairs, highlighting growing student engagement in creative and innovation-based platforms.
Eight competitions were held during the festival, covering various fields of art and innovation. Participants from all four provinces took part, reflecting the national scope of the event.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jamil Ahmed attended the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed prizes among winning students. He said such activities play an important role in developing students’ creative and intellectual abilities alongside academic learning.
Participation and academic context
University officials noted that the event provided a platform for students to showcase talent, exchange ideas and engage in healthy competition. Senior faculty members and administrative officials were also present at the ceremony.
The vice chancellor highlighted the university’s academic standing, stating that it ranks among the top institutions in Pakistan in terms of education and research.
Future development plans
During the ceremony, officials announced plans to establish a modern incubation centre and a new auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 students. The facilities are expected to support academic, research and co-curricular activities at the university.
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