By Danyal Shams
A multi-purpose IT centre aimed at promoting digital skills among female students was inaugurated at Women University Mardan by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi.
The facility, established with the support of UN Women under the university’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC), is designed to equip students with contemporary digital competencies and improve their access to income-generating opportunities.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Razia Sultana received the guests upon their arrival. The event was attended by MPAs Tufail Anjum and Abdul Salam Afridi, Secretary Higher Education Dr Muhammad Israr, and other officials.
Speaking on the occasion, the vice chancellor underscored the growing importance of information technology, saying the centre would enable students to acquire market-relevant skills and explore opportunities for remote work and entrepreneurship.
UN Women representative Zainab Qaiser Khan said the organisation was working to enhance women’s financial independence through digital training initiatives, adding that the programme aimed to make students more self-reliant.
Secretary Higher Education Dr Muhammad Israr said inclusive participation of women was essential for sustainable national development, noting that higher education institutions had a key role in preparing women for emerging challenges.
The provincial minister highlighted the government’s education priorities, stating that the higher education budget had been increased from Rs24 billion to Rs50 billion. He urged universities to adopt market-oriented research and innovative business models to supplement public funding.
He added that the government was promoting disciplines such as computer science, robotics, data science and software engineering, while also introducing measures including fee concessions for orphaned students and initiatives to support women’s education.
Mr Afridi also assured that funds required for the completion of the university’s new building would be provided.
At the end of the ceremony, shields were presented to the guests.
The establishment of the IT centre is being viewed as a step towards strengthening women’s participation in the digital economy.
Under the leadership of Prof Dr Razia Sultana, a number of initiatives have been undertaken in recent months to promote research, innovation and skills development.
These efforts reflect a coordinated team approach, with various departments working in tandem. In particular, ORIC Director Haleema Akram has been actively involved in advancing programmes focused on digital capacity-building and academic collaboration, highlighting the role of collective effort in driving the university’s ongoing progress.
