AWKUM Successfully Conducts Interview Skills and CV Crafting Session for Final-Semester Students

 

The visionary commitment of the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Jamil Ahmad, toward enhancing students’ career readiness continues to manifest through impactful initiatives.

 

Materializing the University-Wide Soft Skills Development Program, the University Advancement and Career Development Center (UA&CDC) of AWKUM has conducted its first session titled "CV Crafting and Interview Skills" for 8th-semester students in the faculty of business and economics. The session was held at the IBL-Hall of the university and attended by hundreds of students from the Departments of Economics, Tourism and Hospitality, and from the Institute of Business and Leadership (IBL).

The session was started by Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Director UA&CDC, with a warm welcome to the participants and resource persons. He also explained the importance of the session for the outgoing students, who serve as ambassadors of the university to the market.  

Dr. Silvia Ahmed from the Institute of Business and Leadership served as a resource person for interview skills. She thoroughly explained the Do's and Don'ts of the interview. Dr. Silvia rigorously trained the students in every aspect of being an effective interviewee when needed.

Ms. Bisma Javed from the Institute of Business and Leadership talked about crafting an effective CV for job hunting. She explained to the students how to structure each and every important section of the CV. Ms. Bisma also trained the students to present their personal, educational, and professional skills effectively to employers. She also practiced CV writing with all of the participants.

Abdul Wali Khan University launches University-Wide Soft Skills Development Program

The Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan launched University-Wide Soft Skills Development Program, initiated by the University Advancement & Career Development Center (UA&CDC). The initiative aims to equip students with essential competencies required to the market or job industry.

The program features a comprehensive series of activities beginning in April, focusing on soft skills development and Job Readiness & Employability Skills Training Series to enhance employability. The program will offer a wide range of sessions covering presentation skills, professional communication, time management, problem-solving, stress management, job hunting strategies and preparation sessions for competitive examinations, including CSS, PMS and other one paper exams conducted by KPPSC and FPSC.

On this occasion, the honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jameel Ahmad addressed the participants and shared his vision for the university. He emphasized the importance of holistic student development and highlighted plans for strengthening the Career Development Center of the university. He also outlined the establishment of a Business Park, envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility that will integrate career services, industry linkages, innovation support, and entrepreneurship development under one roof.

Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Director-UA&CDC shared a detailed calendar of activities to be carried out throughout the spring semester 2026. He talked about the rapid changes in knowledge economy and epistemology of knowledge that has been creating challenges for the students in academia and job market. In his discussion, the director connected the importance of this series of activities in overcoming the mentioned gaps that are faced by the students in the job market.  

AWKUM Secures Outstanding Subject-wise Rankings in Times Higher Education World University Rankings

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AWKUM Shines in THE World University Rankings

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan achieves remarkable subject-wise rankings in Times Higher Education's global assessment.

The latest TIMES Higher Education World University Rankings highlight AWKUM's exceptional performance across multiple disciplines, showcasing strong research quality and academic excellence.

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Computer Science

• Global Rank: 501–600
• In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1st
• In Pakistan: 2nd
• Research Quality: 88.5 (Highest in Pakistan)

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Physical Sciences

• Global Rank: 401–500
• In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1st
• In Pakistan: 2nd
• Research Quality: 86.5 (Highest in Pakistan)

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Life Sciences

• Global Rank: 501–600
• In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 2nd
• In Pakistan: 4th

🎯 These rankings reflect AWKUM's commitment to academic excellence, high-impact research, and growing international recognition.

AWKUM Signs MoU with AHZ Associates to Expand International Study Opportunities

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AHZ Associates (Pakistan) to support students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Director of the University Advancement & Career Development Center (UA&CDC) at AWKUM, and Mr. Asad Bashir, Regional Manager at AHZ Associates. The collaboration aims to enhance global exposure and create structured pathways for AWKUM students toward international education.

Under the agreement, AHZ Associates will provide free counseling, application guidance, and visa facilitation to AWKUM students. The partnership also includes support for securing scholarships of up to 40% for eligible students, discounted IELTS and PTE preparation, an on-campus help desk, and paid internship opportunities. AWKUM’s students will also benefit from interactions with international university representatives and free transportation to participate in educational expos organized by AHZ.

AWKUM Hosted a Workshop on "Theory and Research in Social Sciences" organized by the UA&CDC

 

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan hosted a Seminar on Theory and Research in Social Sciences at the university's main campus. Dr. Farhat Taj, Associate Professor at the University of Tromsø UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, was the guest speaker. Faculty members, MPhil and PhD students from the departments of Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, and Psychology at AWKUM, and a student from the Department of Development Studies at Comsat University, Abbottabad campus, participated in the workshop. The program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mr. Shah Saud, a PhD student in the Department of Sociology.

After the formal opening by Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Director-UA&CDC, Dr. Farhat Taj delivered a comprehensive talk on how knowledge is constructed through theory, focusing on empiricism, rationalism, and falsifiability. She also explained how the expansion of knowledge challenges the existing theories. Dr. Farhat Taj further explained the function of theory in research.

After her lecture, Dr. Farhat Taj posed the research question, “Is durable peace possible between Pakistan and Afghanistan?” and divided the participants into groups to address this question and write their arguments using relevant theories. After completing their tasks in almost 1.5 hours, the participants’ groups were instructed to share their written arguments/analysis for review. Dr. Farhat Taj advised reviewing each other's work while focusing on the relevant theory discussed in addressing the question. Is the theory language used or not? And check the strengths and weaknesses of the analysis. The faculty and students, in mixed groups, thoroughly reviewed each other's work and discussed/argued one-on-one. It was a unique learning experience for the participants on how to address a research question through different theories. At the end, Dr. Farhat Taj stressed the need to use more relevant theories to conduct a robust analysis of any phenomenon.

Dr. Syed Rashid Ali, Associate Professor from the department of Sociology, concluded the workshop by remarking that such practical learning is mandatory for both students and faculty. He also added that students need to be equipped with theoretical lenses to analyze better the tasks they undertake. Dr. Rashid Ali thanked the University Advancement & Career Development Center of AWKUM for organizing such a fruitful workshop.

University Advancement & Career Development Center (UA&CDC) Organized A Seminar

 

A one-day seminar on “Unlock Global Research Opportunities and Make Your Career with HEC's IRSIP (International Research Support Initiative Program) Fellowship was organized for the PhD Students of the faculty of Social Sciences at the video conference room of the Main Campus of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan. 

In the opening remarks, Dr. Syed Rashid Ali, Associate Professor of Sociology, highlighted the importance of such seminars, which equip PhD and even MPhil students with the skills needed to secure these scholarships. He stressed the need to conduct the IRSIP seminar regularly.

First, Dr. Muhammad Zahid (Chief Proctor AWKUM), an IRSIP fellow at the University of Bath, UK, thoroughly discussed the eligibility criteria of the IRSIP fellowship. During the discussion of the basic criteria for IRSIP, required documents, and the application procedure, Dr. Zahid explained each step in detail. He also described his own experience as an IRSIP fellow of HEC.

As a second speaker, Dr. Muhammad Bilal (Director, University Advancement & Career Development Center, AWKUM), an IRSIP fellow at the University of Toronto, Canada, spoke about how to obtain an IRSIP acceptance letter and about future career opportunities with the IRSIP fellowship. Dr. Bilal discussed how to write a well-structured email to a foreign professor and the possible responses from that professor. He also explained possible opportunities related to IRSIP, such as postdoctoral positions, jobs, and research projects.

Dr. Sanaullah, an Assistant Professor of Sociology, delivered closing remarks and praised the speakers' efforts and UA&CDC. Dr. Sanaullah also indicated that other scholarships should be brought up for discussion in future seminars. He further added that the students' interest in availing such opportunities is mandatory.