Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

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.