PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The University of Swat is continuing its efforts to enhance students’ moral, intellectual and professional capabilities, promote a drug-free academic environment and align education with emerging technological trends.
In this regard, the university organized a series of activities, including an anti-drug awareness seminar, an academic session on artificial intelligence and algorithmic trading, and a follow-up meeting to discuss the development of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
According to a press release issued by the university, the Office of the Provost, in collaboration with District Youth Affairs, Swat, organized an anti-drug awareness seminar at the university’s Theater Hall. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin attended the event as the chief guest.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin described drug abuse as a serious threat to society, particularly to the younger generation. He said that young people were not only the future of the country but also its present, adding that safeguarding their moral and intellectual development was a shared national responsibility.
He urged students to play an active role in bringing positive social change and become ambassadors of awareness against drug abuse.
Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim, Dean Faculty of Management, Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Anwar Hussain, Provost Dr. Muhammad Imad Khan, and District Youth Officer Swat Haider also addressed the seminar. The speakers emphasized collective awareness, preventive measures, mutual cooperation and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle to combat drug abuse. An awareness walk was also organized at the conclusion of the seminar.
Meanwhile, the Department of Management and Commerce organized a one-day seminar titled *“Robot Trader: Algorithmic Trading for a Better Financial Future”* to familiarize students with emerging global trends in artificial intelligence, financial technology and automated trading.
During the seminar, renowned US-based 5G engineer Ziaullah Khan shared his insights into artificial intelligence workflows, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), edge computing and DevSecOps.
Dr. Shakirullah, a tenured Associate Professor at Broadwell College of Business and Economics, Fayetteville State University, USA, highlighted the financial dimensions of algorithmic and automated trading, along with emerging opportunities and future prospects in the field.
Prof. Dr. Hazrat Bilal and Dr. Nasir Shaheen observed that the integration of technology and finance had become increasingly important, adding that such academic platforms played a significant role in preparing young people to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The seminar was organized under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Lala Rukh and attended by students, faculty members and researchers.
In another development, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin chaired a follow-up meeting to review the development of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, administrative challenges and future plans.
The meeting was attended by Registrar Dr. Arshad Ali Khan, Treasurer Mahboob-ur-Rehman, Director Administration Prof. Dr. Hazrat Bilal and Director Allied Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Akbar.
During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Ali Akbar briefed the participants on the faculty’s current status, challenges and development roadmap.
The Vice Chancellor directed the relevant university offices to expedite the recruitment of required staff and improvement of basic infrastructure on a priority basis.
The meeting also decided to establish a *Health Point* at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences to provide basic medical facilities to university faculty members, students and employees.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed that strengthening Allied Health Sciences remained among the university’s key priorities, emphasizing that quality education in the field was directly linked to improving the standard of public healthcare services.
