University of Peshawar
| Motto | To love and to serve the entire creation of the Creator |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1950 |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor Haroon Rashid |
| Students | 14,060[1] |
| Postgraduates | 578[2] |
| Location | , |
| Website | www.upesh.edu.pk |
The University of Peshawar (UOP) was established in October 1950 by the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The University of Peshawar is a unique institution where educational facilities exist from nursery to Ph.D. Located in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province, it operates as a residential campus spread over approximately 1,000 acres (4 km2).
The University comprises six faculties with forty postgraduate departments, four centres, two centres of excellence, four colleges and three high schools. Student population on campus is over twenty thousand.
History
In its inaugural year it had an enrollment of 129, of whom one was a female. Although the university was established in 1950 it was initially Islamia College. There were many requests to establish a University, however the British were reluctant to do so. It was only after Pakistan's Independence in 1947 that the request could be implemented. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had visited the College in 1928 had great admiration for it. He would refer to it as ‘My College’ and adopted it as one of the three heirs to his rich fortune, along with Aligarh University and Sindh Madrassa (his own school) in 1939. For Jinnah the university was a gift to students of the province, in recognition of the part played by them in the making of Pakistan, and how it was the Pathans who had fought the Indians and captured Azad Kashmir.[4]
Constituent Colleges
Islamia College
Islamia College, founded in 1913, with the object of imparting knowledge of modern sciences, along with a thorough grounding in the precepts and the principles of Islam to the youth of the North West Frontiers of this country, has grown from strength to strength during its existence of over a half a century. The college prepares students in all science subjects and the humanities for the Intermediate Examinations of the Peshawar Board of Secondary Education and for the Degree examinations of the University of Peshawar. In spite of the fact that now Degree colleges have been setup at all district headquarters and Intermediate College practically in all Tehsils of the former N.W.F.Province, there is a great scramble for admission to this College. But facilities nearly as many application are turned down as number of parents from the tribal areas and the settled districts want their sons and wards to be educated here even if there is a College nearer home, as they look upon this institution with a sense of belonging. Its past traditions and present achievements make it easily the best educational institution in the country. Essentially the Islamia College is a residential college with 75% of its students and nearly the whole staff living on the campus like a coterie of scholars seeking and imparting knowledge.
Jinnah college for women
The Jinnah College for women, formally called University College for Women, was established in June 1964. The college provides educational opportunities to the University Employee’s children and young women of the NWFP on merit. It aims at producing enlightened and progressive young women. Maximum opportunities are provided for participation in extra curricular activities such as debates, dramatic and literary competitions and so on. Educational trips and study tours are also arranged.
Its two storied building consists of classrooms, lecture-theatres, laboratories, a library with two reading rooms, an office and a hall. The college has a number of lawns, a botanical garden and a large playground. The class-rooms, lecture theatres and laboratories are well maintained, with heating arrangements for winters. The laboratories are properly equipped and the library has a good collection of up-to-date reference books, text books and books in specialized fields. The college hall, the Safia Hassan Hall, has a seating capacity of 300 students and is the venue for different functions. The playground attached to the college is used for inter-class and inter college tournaments and college sports.
Law College:
The Law College, University of Peshawar was established in 1950 and elevated to a Faculty in 1992. However, the existing faculties of the university were re-structured and Law College was placed under the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The College has an academic link with the University of Oslo, Norway, and has also signed an MOU with the IUCN Pakistan, under which it will have institutional co-operation with the latter in the area of Environmental Law.
The Human Rights Studies Centre is also part of the college and was established in March 2000 under the Government of Pakistan Human Rights and Mass Awareness and Education Programme, jointly funded by the NORAD and the Swiss Development Corporation. Its main objective is to develop curriculum for Human Rights as a subject at the Master's level and to co-ordinate the activities/research regarding Human Rights at the National and Provincial level. It also aims at acting as a base for institutional co-operation between Human Rights Agencies at National and International level.
Quaid-e-Azam College of commerce
The Quaid-e-Azam College of Commerce was established in 1962. It has the distinction of having been established out of the funds bequeathed by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is a premier institution of the North West Frontier Province, offering one year and two years Master of Commerce programmes. In both the programmes, the courses of study aim at imparting knowledge in the broad based principles and procedures of Commerce to develop a strong foundation for prospective managers in the functional areas of business. Besides, emphasis is laid on equipping students with appropriate skills to solve the organizational and operational problems faced by modern business entities. At present, the college offers specialization in Finance, Accounting, Marketing and Management, thus serving the need of Business Education within and outside the country.
College of Home Economics
The study of Home Economics as a distinct discipline was introduced in the country soon after the emergence of Pakistan. Initially, a separate department, devoted to the subject, was set-up in 1954 by the University of Peshawar, in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA. The department was later upgraded to College status in 1963. It is one of the four colleges in Pakistan devoted to the study of Home Economics, for developing a complete education programme for female students to meet the challenges of a free society. The institution equips young women with the specialized knowledge in the field of interior design, textile design, small business management, teaching, and research.
This field of study extends opportunities for pursuing careers in any of the above professions. Therefore, it has acquired a special significance in moulding the female generation, providing them with an opportunity to study a unique blend of both science and art related subjects. It also opens up future avenues for personal, professional and social enhancement.
Institute of Education and Research
The Department of Education was established in 1950, which was elevated to the Institute of Education and Research (IER) a faculty of education in 1980, however, the existing faculties of the university have been re-structured and IER is now placed under the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The IER provides B.Ed and M.Ed training to prospective and in-service teachers of secondary and higher secondary schools. At B.Ed level both theoretical and practical training are imparted, whereas the M.Ed trainees are theoretically strengthened regarding pertinent teaching issues. The training duration for both B.Ed and M.Ed is of one academic year.
The College has currently eight departments and thirteen faculty members. Housed in a separate building, it has all the necessary facilities of a teacher training institution. It has a spacious and well-stocked library, science and computer laboratories, seminar rooms, and lecture halls. Moreover all necessary efforts are made to ensure that the trainees' stay is comfortable and productive.[5]
Civic Facilities
Cafeteria, Stores and Market
The main market is situated in the “Khyber House” on campus. This building also houses banks, two canteens, grocery shops, tailor shops, co-operative stores, and meat and vegetable shops. A spacious and modern cafeteria has been opened in the Teacher Student Centre. Some utility shops and a bookstore have also been opened in the Teacher Student Centre. A bigger market and a hospital are right across the road. There are Coffee Shop Market near Islamia College and Madina Market in front of the Department of Political Science.
Teacher Student Centre
The Teacher Student Centre is the focal point of the University's social, cultural and recreational activities. It provides services and facilities which support and enrich the academic programmes of the University.
The Centre includes a cafeteria which provides simple good food at reasonable rates both for the students and teachers.
University Health Centre
The University Health Centre provides free medical aid to the students, University employees and their families.
Banks
A pay office of the National Bank of Pakistan was established in 1955. Later on it was raised to a full-fledged branch conducting all banking activities.
Branches of Habib Bank and United Bank are also functioning on the campus. They provide all banking facilities to customers.
Transport
The University has got its own fleet of buses which transport
Students of the University. Besides, Intra Campus bus service is also available.
Campus Life
The Peshawar Campus
The University campus is situated about 10 kilometres North West from the city centre on the main Grand Trunk Road leading towards Torkham, the historical border town. It is located ideally on a picturesque site of over 1,050 acres (4 km2) of land, 1,199 ft (365 m). above sea level.
The University is the “mother” University of the North West Frontier Province, founded in Oct. 1950. It has expanded over the last fifty years and a number of buildings have been added. The total built up area of the campus is more than 1.5 million sq.ft. However, its original sprawling lawns and green tracts have been retained.
The academic ambience of the University is enhanced and enriched with the presence of such national organizations in the vicinity as the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, North Regional Laboratories; Academy for Rural Development; the Pakistan Forest Research Institute and College; the University of Engineering and Technology; the Agricultural University; Institute of Nuclear Medicine; and Khyber Teaching Hospital.
It is essentially a residential University with an approximate population of about 35000.
Grounds and Gardens
The University has a sprawling campus of 1,050 acres (4 km2). Grounds are levelled and turfed. Trees, bushes and hedges have been planted on an extensive scale in the residential bungalows and on either side of the roads.
Watch and Ward
There is an effective and vigilant arrangement for security on the campus. Besides the regular University personnel, there is constant patrolling on the campus by the camps peace corps.
The University has ten hostels, six for males with a capacity of 1949 and four for females with the capacity of 951. Beside these hostels, three new hostels are under construction two for boys and one for girls with a capacity of 300 each, and will hopefully be completed by the end of August 2005. These hostels are situated at a walking distance from the teaching departments. Females’ hostels are located in the vicinity of Jinnah College for Women and the College of Home Economics.
Since the residence in hostel is a privilege and not a right, therefore accommodation will be offered to the deserving students subject to the availability of seats in the hostels.
The Bara Galli (Summer) Campus II
The Campus II of the University of Peshawar is located at Bara Gali on the Abbottabad Nathia Gali - Murree Road, at a distance of approximately 30 kilometers from Abbottabad, having an altitude of 7,700 ft (2,350 m) above the sea level, and is spread over an area of 60 acres of land.
Bara Gali, one of the most beautiful valley resort with dense forests, tall mountains and very pleasant climate, is the Campus II of the University of Peshawar since 1965. It is the nucleus of our academic and research activities particularly during entire summers, i.e. Mays to Septembers. Each summer around 20-25 International and National Seminars, Conferences, Symposia, Workshops, Training courses, etc. are held at this Campus, which are attended by more than a thousand national and international participants. Thousands of our students from the various teaching departments/schools/colleges/centres visit Bara Gali each year both in summers and winters, for various academic and research purposes.
Besides, all the students' co-curricular activities, including shooting club, hiking society, adventure club, medical camps, cross-country/road running, sports mela, and so many other activities take place at the Bara Gali Campus. Each year the Independence Day is celebrated with traditional pomp and show. The whole campus is illuminated at night. Hundreds of men, women and children participate in the various events. Educational activities are a matter of routine at Bara Gali during the summer vacations, giving the University of Peshawar the unique edge that its academic activities do not go on a standstill during the summer vacations.[6]
Notes
- ^ http://www.upesh.edu.pk/about_uop.html
- ^ http://www.upesh.edu.pk/about_uop.html
- ^ http://www.upesh.edu.pk/about_uop.html
- ^ About University of Peshawar[1]
- ^ List of colleges at UOP[2]
- ^ UOP CIVIC FACILITIES[3]
21. Psychology Dr Farhana Jehangir