An
e-meeting was held between the delegates of the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan
(AWKUM) to discuss Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) membership for AWKUM
and collaboration in various other areas of common interest. The meeting was
led by Dr. Dilawar Farhan Shams, Chairperson, Department of Environmental
Sciences (AWKUM) who was accompanied by Dr. Zia Ullah, Chairperson, Department
of Tourism & Hospitality and Dr. Shams Ali Baig, Assistant Professor,
Department of Environmental Sciences. From ICIMOD, Dr. Chi Huyen Truong
(Programme Coordinator-HUC), Mr. Muhammad Ismail (ICIMOD Country
Representative, Pakistan) and Dr. Sher Muhammad (Remote Sensing Specialist)
joined the meeting. Dr. Truong explained in detail the purpose and activities
of HUC, the thematic working groups, and the benefits HUC has for the
participating universities. Dr. Shams Ali Baig presented an overview of AWKUM
and its potential to contribute to mountain and climate change issues. Dr.
Dilawar Farhan and Dr. Zia Ullah thoroughly reflected on what AWKUM can offer,
the capacity and facilities the university has to effectively participate as an
HUC member, the coverage of thematic working groups in the existing curricula
of Environmental Sciences, Tourism and Hospitality, and other departments of
the University, and future plans to commence academic programs in these areas.
The ICIMOD showed keen interest to grant HUC membership to AWKUM and stressed
on initiating the collaborative work immediately while the membership process
is underway. Dr. Truong also extended ICIMOD’s strong support to AWKUM in
various other activities falling in their domain. It is worth mentioning that a
memorandum of understating between ICIMOD and AWKUM is already initiated and
will be concluded soon.
