Islamabad (Adnan Hameed): Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah on Friday visited Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), Haripur. Adviser National heritage and Culture Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Director General PNCA Muhammad Ayuob Jamali, Director Lok Virsa Anwar ul Haq and Director Hunerkada Amna Shah were also accompanied the Minister.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mujahid, Rector, along with faculty members and Prof, Zafar Iqbal extended a warm welcome to Federal Minister.
The Rector provided a comprehensive overview of PAF-IAST, highlighting cutting-edge features and facilities. He said that from modern Smart Classrooms, advanced Data Center, and powerful HPC Cluster, to state-of-the-art buildings and infrastructure, every aspect reflects commitment to excellence.
“We also had the opportunity to showcase our prestigious Medical College, advanced HiTech labs and the groundbreaking Sino-Pak Center for Artificial Intelligence”, he added. He also highlighted Center of Excellence in Transportation/Railway Engineering, as well as Special Technology Zone and vibrant Technology Park.
The Minister inaugurated Innovation lab at School of Design, Art & Architecture Technologies (SDAAT), PAF-IAST.
After briefing, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were also signed between PAF-IAST and National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage-, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and Hunerkada.
Addressing the students and faculty members, the Minister highly praised the efforts of PAF-IAST for education, research and innovations.
He said that diverse and rich cultural heritage, beautiful topography and archaeological sites of historical value situated in Pakistan offer enormous opportunities those could be utilized for economic advancement of the country.
Jamal Shah said Pakistan is situated at the place that was rightly called as melting pot of culture and civilization while diversity of old cultures make it an attractive bunch of beautiful flowers.
The Minister said that youth is the largest chunk of country’s population as well as precious asset of Pakistan and holistic measures were required for ensuring provision of education and development opportunities to young generation besides facilitating their meaningful engagement, adding that we have to equip our young generation with education so that they could become productive part of the society and contribute in progress of the nation.