Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Visits PAF-IAST and Inaugurates SMDAS
Haripur, January 28, 2026:
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited the Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), Haripur to inaugurate its newly established School of Medicine, Dentistry & Allied Sciences (SMDAS), where he addressed faculty members and students and reaffirmed the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to higher education, research, innovation, and youth empowerment as central pillars of sustainable and inclusive development in the province.
Role of Higher Education in National Development
Addressing a well-attended session at the PAF-IAST campus, the Chief Minister highlighted the pivotal role of higher education Institutions in transforming Pakistan into a knowledge-based economy. He stated that institutions such as PAF-IAST are producing skilled and competent human capital while simultaneously contributing to technological advancement, entrepreneurship, innovation, and national self-reliance. He emphasized that universities must move beyond traditional teaching models and actively contribute to applied research, commercialization of ideas, and solutions to real-world challenges faced by society and industry.
Inauguration of SMDAS
During the visit, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated SMDAS at PAF-IAST, describing it as a landmark achievement in the Institute’s academic evolution. He said the establishment of the new school would significantly strengthen healthcare education in the region and help address the growing demand for qualified medical, dental, and allied health professionals. He added that the integration of medical and allied sciences with engineering and technology would open new avenues for interdisciplinary research, innovation, and improved healthcare delivery in the province.
Appreciation of Academic Standards and Infrastructure
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the Institute’s high academic standards, modern infrastructure, and research-oriented learning environment, terming PAF-IAST a model of outcome-based education in science, engineering, and emerging technologies. He urged students to focus on innovation, critical thinking, research, and practical problem-solving skills to effectively respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing global and technological landscape. He encouraged the youth to adopt a mindset of creativity, resilience, and continuous learning to compete successfully at national and international levels.
Message to Students
Addressing the students, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of discipline, integrity, professionalism, and lifelong learning. He assured them that the provincial government remains fully committed to creating opportunities for talented youth through comprehensive education reforms, scholarship programs, and skills development initiatives. He reiterated that investment in education—particularly in science, technology, engineering, and healthcare—continues to be a top priority of the KP government to promote sustainable economic growth and social development.
Praise for PAF-IAST Leadership
The Chief Minister highly lauded the leadership of PAF-IAST, particularly the Rector and Project Director, for their vision, dedication, and tireless efforts in steering the Institute towards academic excellence and Institutional maturity. He remarked that strong, transparent, and visionary leadership is essential for academic institutions to thrive and expressed confidence that the present leadership of PAF-IAST would continue to take the Institute to greater heights.
He categorically stated that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has consistently supported PAF-IAST since its inception and will continue to do so in the future with even greater resolve, as the Institute is a flagship project of the provincial government.
Rector’s Briefing
Earlier, the Rector of PAF-IAST welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed him on the Institute’s academic programs, research activities, international collaborations, faculty development initiatives, and future expansion plans. He stated that despite being a young institution, has achieved financial and institutional sustainability within a short span of just five years, which he termed a remarkable milestone for a public sector university in Pakistan. He highlighted PAF-IAST’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry by promoting applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and by producing graduates equipped with strong theoretical foundations and market-relevant practical skills.
The Rector further stated that PAF-IAST is committed to developing a research-driven academic ecosystem aligned with international standards, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary education, industry partnerships, and global collaboration. He emphasized that the newly established School of Medicine, Dentistry and Allied Sciences would play a transformative role in advancing healthcare education, research, and innovation in collaboration with national and international partners.
The Rector expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its continued support and stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry, and international partners to further enhance research output, innovation, and institutional capacity. He reaffirmed the institute’s resolve to contribute meaningfully to national development through quality education, research excellence, and human capital development.
Address by the Provincial Minister for Higher Education
The Provincial Minister for Higher Education, in his address, reiterated the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s strong resolve to strengthen higher education institutions across the province. He stated that PAF-IAST represents a successful model of outcome-based, research-oriented education and stands as a symbol of the government’s long-term commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and human capital development.
The Minister emphasized that the Government of KP has always supported PAF-IAST and will continue to extend even stronger support in the future, recognizing it as a flagship initiative aimed at producing skilled manpower, promoting research and innovation, and contributing to socio-economic development. He highlighted ongoing policy reforms focusing on faculty development, curriculum modernization, research funding, and international collaboration, and assured that institutions like PAF-IAST would remain at the forefront of these reforms.
Distinguished Participation
The ceremony was attended by a large number of social and political dignitaries, senior government officials, academicians, representatives of partner institutions, members of civil society, and other distinguished guests, in addition to faculty members and students of PAF-IAST, reflecting broad stakeholder confidence in the institute’s vision and direction.
Conclusion
The visit reaffirmed the provincial government’s firm commitment to supporting institutions like PAF-IAST in their pursuit of academic excellence, innovation, and national development.