Peshawar, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar celebrated its 19th foundation day with a vibrant two-day cultural festival and several strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering research, faculty development, and entrepreneurship among its female students. The event was marked by the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various organizations, the launch of a management company for startups, and the presentation of the Best Teacher Award.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the university’s new partnerships focus on enhancing research capabilities, exchanging faculty, and developing soft skills. These initiatives align with the university’s long-term goals to empower female students and broaden their academic and professional horizons.

During the foundation day ceremony, Miss Raqia Bibi from the Department of Chemistry received the Best Teacher Award for the academic year 2022-23, accompanied by a Rs 2 lakh prize. Meanwhile, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmed, outlined the institution’s achievements and challenges, including financial constraints and the need for additional academic and residential facilities to accommodate expanding programs.

Provincial Minister of Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, addressed the ceremony, emphasizing the role of universities as engines of research and innovation. She commended Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University for its research efforts and disclosed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is taking steps to establish a Provincial Higher Education Commission to address systemic issues affecting local universities.

Afridi further highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering women through education and providing equal opportunities across the province. She noted that plans are underway to develop strategies for youth empowerment and to ensure sustainability, good governance, and quality education in the region’s higher education sector.