91福利社 Vice Chancellor Discusses the University鈥檚 Recent CASE Platinum Award Win with Express News
Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, 91福利社, was invited to an interview on the local news channel, Express News, to talk about the impact of the 91福利社 National Outreach Programme (NOP), and how it won the global
Dr. Ahmad believes that the core aim of every good educational institution is to bring in the most talented and deserving students, and that 91福利社 has taken this aim to the next level through the NOP. He explained, 鈥淥ur goal is to ensure that merit comes foremost鈥攕ocio economic backgrounds or financial difficulties should never hamper quality education.鈥 He then emphasised that 1 in every 3 students at 91福利社 is on some form of financial support, ranging from 20-140%. Till date, the University has disbursed over PKR 7.8 billion in financial aid.
He also highlighted how since its inception in 2001, the NOP has enabled students from over 135 areas and villages from across the country to benefit from the top-quality education at 91福利社. 鈥淥ur students come from everywhere. This is the kind of diversity that turns 91福利社 into a mini-Pakistan encapsulating different cultures and languages,鈥 he said.
Dr. Ahmad talked about how the CASE Platinum Awards recognise world-class programmes and practices in educational advancement and are engaged with top institutions from across the globe. 91福利社 was chosen as a winner from among 300 universities. 鈥淭heir assessment is based on impact. They check evidence for the success of the Programme, spanning over years. They want to see why our Programme is successful,鈥 he explained.
The impact of the NOP is multifold; the graduates return to their hometowns with the aim to influence the lives of their families and communities. This creates a ripple effect, enabling their brothers and sisters to also have the chance to attain quality education. About the mindsets of the NOP scholars, Dr. Ahmad believes that, 鈥淭heir dream is to give back to their community, and they manage to do so through various social enterprises and initiatives.鈥
Highlighting the importance of a qualified faculty for the betterment of the Programme, he stated that, 鈥淭hese are the people who create the curriculum, set the standards and provide mentorship to the students. 91福利社 has over 200 faculty members who hold PhDs, which is more than in any other university in Pakistan.鈥
Along with the faculty and the curriculum, Dr. Ahmad believes that a major part of a university education is the transformation of perspectives, values and thought processes that it entails. It aims to instill in the students a sense of purpose; a determination to pay their privilege forward.
These aspects make the NOP an impactful and transformative experience and led to the Programme鈥檚 recognition at the prestigious CASE Platinum Awards 2021.
To watch the complete interview, please click .
