Professor Dr. Mohammad Bilal, was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chakwal on February February 19, 2021. Prof Dr. Mohammad Bilal Khan is dedicated to leading University of Chakwal in its mission of engaging learners, transforming lives, and building community and ensuring UOC endeavours are guided by its values, strategic directions, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Mr. Khan took only two years to bring newly established University of Chakwal into the list of country’s prestigious institutions which have earned good reputation among national and international level.
As an institution situated in Chakwal, a city which is located 90 kilometres south-west of the federal capital, Islamabad and 270 kilometres from the provincial capital, Lahore, UOC acknowledges the contributions that Indigenous people of area have made – and continue to make. Dr. Bilal Khan is committed to moving UOC forward in reconciliation and to supporting Indigenous learners and honouring Indigenous ways of knowing.
Prior to joining UOC 2021 as the vice chancellor Dr. Khan had been associated with NUST, and other national and International Institutions. He received a PhD from From Imperial College London and MS From University of Arizona USA. He is a senior NUST Fellow. Mr. Khan had also received Civil Award, President Medal for Technology.
In an interview with The Islamabad telegraph, Prof Dr. Muhammad Bilal khan said his mission is to brand University of Chakwal, a prestigious seat of learning in terms of research and academic Excellence in near future.
Vice-chancellors play essential roles in the daily running of universities and other tertiary institutions. As they are responsible for the day-to-day administration of their institutions.
Vice Chancellor University of Chakwal Professor Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan interacted with Islamabad Telegraph on 15 Feb 2023. The worthy vice chancellor previously remained Principal and Dean, US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies at NUST Islamabad.
In an introductory remark to The Islamabad Telegraph, the honorable vice chancellor highlighted that University of Chakwal is a progeny of Govt. Post Graduate College Chakwal that has been a beacon of excellence since its inception in 1949. Combined with the faculty of engineering it offers a vast arena of higher studies in the region.
It was a historic moment for GPCC when it was elevated to University of Chakwal (UOC) through a notification by the Government of the Punjab on January 17th, 2020 and inaugurated by then Prime minister of Pakistan. Since its inception structural reforms have been introduced for the provision of high quality human capital through hiring of the highly professional faculty and staff to produce quality graduates who help build knowledge based economy. The people of Chakwal always aspired to have an institution of higher learning.
Honorable Vice Chancellor highlighted that UOC is the fastest growing university of the Rawalpindi Division. With its ongoing PKR7 billion infrastructure development under the annual development plan of the Government of Pakistan, leading to expansion of both the City Campus (40acres) and Balkasar campus (adjacent to the motorway,115 acres). UOC is projected to be the largest General-purpose university in whole of Rawalpindi Division. All our Degree Programs are duly accredited by HEC and engineering programs by Pakistan Engineering Council.
In a brief introduction to UOC, Honorable Vice Chancellor mentioned that currently at present seven faculties and 20 departments are established in UoC. All the classrooms, labs and lecture halls are well equipped and fully furnished. Most importantly, 58 permanent teaching faculty out of which 27 are PhD and 31 non. PhD members and with a student body of about 5000+ define the intellectual eco-system of University of Chakwal. Answering a query regarding initiatives taken by Prof Dr Muhammad Bilal Khan, Worthy vice Chancellor replied, UOC recently arranged an International Conference regarding Industry Academia Linkages where several international speakers highlighted different aspects regarding the theme of the conference. UOC has also done MOU’s with two well reputed Universities of Turkey for the capacity buildings of faculty and students. Launching of E. Rozgar Scheme at UOC was another positive step by the university administration.
Talking about the quality of research and academic excellence, Honorable Vice Chancellor mentioned that I personally believe that HEC needs to play an active and effective role of Regulator under which Research monitoring cell might be formulated. I think One needs to be target oriented rather than directionless approaches. It’s actually head hunting that leads you close to your desired objectives. Prof. Dr Bilal said, I truly believe in an approach of a right man for the right place. Doing so, any institution can make progress in a very short span of time. At least this approach takes you to the right path initially.
Answering a query about the infrastructure development, Prof Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan said, peojevcts worth three Billion rupee developmental were under process within the university that Includes Academic Blocks, Library, Hostels and much more.
” Here I would like to mention Raja Yasir Humayun who took keen interest for the development of the university when he was provincial minister of higher education of Punjab. His services, primarily for the people of Chakwal, would highly be appreciated in a year to come,” Mr. Khan said.
Answering another query regarding strategy and planning for the improvement of UOC, Prof Bilal said that The best strategy that any vice-chancellor can use in their work is to center everything around the institution’s objectives and missions.
Every job done should aim at furthering what the institution intends to achieve. As for the right mindset, I believe that focusing on results helps one become an effective administrator. That what I always try to exercise in my daily routine. I have no doubt this positive mind set always bring change. Whenever I face difficulties, I always reflect on past successes that gives me strength to work harder and do better. Meanwhile I also have a strong support system of my passionate administration under my command, my well reputed and highly qualified faculty members, that encourages me to work day and night for the betterment and progress of University of Chakwal. I truly believe, the steps we are taking for the betterment of University of Chakwal, will transform this institution into a prestigious seat of learning that will illuminate the human minds and broadens the vision bringing back home all kinds of opportunities and development. We are optimistic that each and every entrant will be fascinated with the commitment, passion, resolution and enthusiasm by all the functionaries of the University,” he said.
” Here at the end, on behalf of the students and staff of the University of Chakwal (UOC), I cordially thank The Islamabad Telegraph on getting in touch and providing us an opportunity to highlight several aspects of a newly established yet highly aspiring educational institution of the Punjab.
