Islamabad: COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) celebrated its Silver Jubilee on Tuesday, marking 25 years of contributions to higher education, research, and innovation in Pakistan. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi attended the ceremony as chief guest.

The commemorative event, held at the university’s main campus, was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Science and Technology, academic leaders, and representatives from the public sector. Addressing the gathering, the federal minister said COMSATS University had evolved from a visionary concept into one of Pakistan’s leading higher education institutions, earning recognition for quality education, high-standard research, and strong international linkages.

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He praised the leadership of Rector Raheel Qamar, noting that effective measures were being taken to enhance academic standards, strengthen research culture, and introduce administrative reforms. These initiatives, he said, reflect a strong commitment to transforming COMSATS University into a distinguished research-oriented institution at both regional and global levels.

Paying tribute to the university’s faculty, the minister acknowledged their central role in shaping students’ intellectual and moral development. He emphasised that teachers form the backbone of educational institutions and that the future of nations is built through universities driven by dedicated mentorship and scholarship.

Looking ahead, Khalid Hussain Magsi highlighted that emerging research trends, artificial intelligence, and global academic collaboration would define the university’s next phase of progress. He urged all stakeholders to embrace innovation and research excellence to meet future challenges. The minister also congratulated the university’s leadership, faculty, staff, and students on achieving the milestone.

Speaking on the occasion, Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of the COMSATS Secretariat and Pro-Chancellor (II), reflected on the institution’s journey from the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology to a comprehensive university of national importance. He said the university’s achievements represented a collective institutional success rooted in its founding vision and called upon the academic community to work towards placing COMSATS University among the world’s top 200 universities by its Golden Jubilee.

In his address, Rector Raheel Qamar described the Silver Jubilee as a moment of shared pride for faculty, staff, students, and alumni. He highlighted the university’s sustained academic growth, ongoing governance reforms, and commitment to innovation-driven education. He added that CUI’s curricula are now structured around the 6-C Framework—Coding, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Communication, Creativity, and Co-Intelligence—to equip graduates with future-ready skills for the global digital economy, while emphasising the growing importance of artificial intelligence and emerging research domains.

As part of the celebrations, shields were awarded to long-serving employees in recognition of their dedicated service over the past 25 years. The ceremony, attended by all chief guests, symbolised collective appreciation for the contributions of the university’s workforce. Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Shahid Baloch attended the event as guest of honour.

The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s continued support for COMSATS University Islamabad’s academic and research mission.