Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden in Pakistan, Lars Hjalmar Wide, called on Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz and discussed with him various opportunity areas that may lead to enhancing cooperation between UoP and Swedish Universities.

The Ambassador showed his interest in establishing close collaboration among Swedish universities and some of the departments of University of Peshawar for future exchange programs. He said that in his country, research paper writing is a common practice at the higher education institutions and the same is mandatory for students while getting an M. Phil and Ph. D degree. This he said is promoting the research culture in Sweden.

While giving an overview of University of Peshawar to the Ambassador, the Vice Chancellor said that University of Peshawar is the biggest institution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is host to students from the province and adjoining FATA areas for more than six decades.

He added that more than fourteen thousand students are presently enrolled at the University in BS, MSc, MS and Ph.D Programs with female enrollment percentage of 45%. More than two thousand students of the troubled FATA areas are also pursuing their studies in different degree programs at varsity, he said. The Vice Chancellor said that most of the students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA drop out from higher education institutions or are not even able to get admission here owing to the poor socio economic condition of its people.

If international community and donor organizations come forward and help them in achieving their higher education endeavour, this would ultimately lead to changing the fate of the under privileged people of FATA and KP, he concluded.