MARDAN: Women University Mardan (WUM) celebrated Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day at its Shankar Campus with patriotic enthusiasm, highlighting the importance of education, national unity, women’s empowerment and a progressive Pakistan.
The celebrations began with a flag-hoisting ceremony and the national anthem, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. Students and faculty members dressed in green and white and enthusiastically participated in the celebrations, while students presented milli naghmay in tribute to the sacrifices of the country’s founders.
The programme featured a range of academic, cultural and sports activities, including Urdu and English speech competitions, milli naghmay, quizzes, a folk-dress show and sporting events. Students and faculty members also arranged cultural and thematic stalls showcasing Pakistan’s cultural heritage, traditions and diversity.
Provincial Minister for Revenue and Estate Tariq Mehmood Aryani attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Mardan Wasif Rehman was the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Aryani called for the nation to rise above linguistic, group and sectarian differences and work collectively towards the objectives of independence. He stressed that education and national unity were essential for building a free, prosperous and developed Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana appreciated the enthusiasm and participation of female students and highlighted the importance of education in national development.
She said universities serve as centres of knowledge and awareness and stressed the need to bring women into the mainstream of national development. Referring to the maxim, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole generation,” she said WUM was making progress in education, research and academic development.
As part of the celebrations, the university formally inaugurated its Monsoon Plantation Drive under the “One Person, One Plant” initiative. Chief guest Tariq Mehmood Aryani, Vice Chancellor Razia Sultana, the guest of honour and other dignitaries planted saplings at the Shankar Campus.
Faculty and staff donated a substantial number of plants, while representatives of the Forest Department also contributed saplings to support the campus greening initiative.
A Book Fair organised by the Central Library was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Jamshed Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buner, alongside Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana and other dignitaries. The guests toured the book fair and various cultural stalls and appreciated the participation of students and faculty.
The chief guest distributed certificates and prizes among female students who secured top positions in different departments.
An MoU was also signed between the Department of Zoology at Women University Mardan and Black Horse International to promote cooperation in relevant areas.
The event was attended by academics, government officials and other dignitaries, including Dr. Aurangzeb Khan and Dr. Fazle Sattar of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission member Laiq Zaman, HEC Regional Director Peshawar Numan Ahmad, former HEC Regional Director Arshad Kamran, SP Investigation Mardan Maria Mustafa, Horticulturist Nasrullah Khan, former Mardan Chamber of Commerce president Nazia Shah, SDFO Shakir Khan and SDFO Mardan Sajjad Khan.
The programme was organised by Dr. Nelofer Ikram, focal person for the event, with the support of members of the organising team.
The celebrations concluded with a pledge to contribute towards a progressive, inclusive and resilient Pakistan based on equality, justice, education and national unity.
Also read : Arid University Celebrates 79th Independence Day with National Spirit
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