By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A delegation from the literary and social organisation Arbab-e-Danish Forum has paid a courtesy visit to the vice chancellor of Qurtuba University, Professor Dr Khair-ul-Zaman, to congratulate him on assuming office and to discuss challenges facing higher education.
According to participants, the delegation — comprising Gulzar Ahmed, Abul-Muazzam Turabi and Bashir Ahmed Simab — met the vice chancellor to convey their good wishes and exchange views on the current academic environment.
During the meeting, Dr Khair-ul-Zaman spoke about the state of higher education and shared suggestions aimed at improving academic standards. He said that being appointed vice chancellor in his hometown of Dera Ismail Khan after a long period was a matter of pride, and that he was committed to promoting quality higher education among young people through dedication and hard work.
Members of the delegation raised concerns about what they described as students’ excessive and unnecessary engagement with mobile phones, the internet and platforms such as TikTok, calling it a major factor behind declining academic performance.
They said the trend had become a source of serious anxiety for parents and was undermining hopes for their children’s educational future.
The meeting ended with a shared understanding that collective and sustained efforts were needed to improve both the academic performance and moral development of students.
