Balochistan Universities Make Remarkable Turnaround: Governor

UoB performance score jumps from 44pc to 82pc; 24 PhD scholars, 29 MPhil graduates receive degrees at 22nd convocation

Staff Report

QUETTA: Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail hailed a remarkable turnaround in Balochistan’s public sector universities, saying sustained reforms, effective monitoring and institutional support have helped them overcome years of financial and academic difficulties, with the University of Balochistan’s performance score climbing from 44 per cent to 82 per cent.

Addressing the 22nd convocation of the University of Balochistan on Wednesday, the governor said the overall performance of public sector universities across the province had doubled, reflecting significant improvements in academic standards, financial management and institutional governance.

“Universities that were once grappling with severe financial and academic crises are now moving towards stability and have achieved a surplus financial position. This is an achievement of which we can all be proud,” he said.

Highlighting the progress of the University of Balochistan, the province’s premier institution of higher learning, Jaffar Mandokhail said its performance score had improved from 44 per cent to 82 per cent within a relatively short period, reflecting substantial progress in administration, academics and research.

The convocation ceremony recognised academic excellence, with 24 PhD scholars, 29 MPhil graduates and 58 outstanding BS students receiving degrees and gold medals in recognition of their achievements.

Speaking about the broader higher education landscape in Balochistan, the governor said graduates were the greatest asset of any university. He praised the institution's former and current students for serving as leaders, scholars, researchers and professionals and contributing to the development and prosperity of Balochistan and Pakistan.

He also appreciated the efforts of Vice Chancellor Dr Zahoor Ahmed Bazai and his team, crediting their leadership and commitment to reforms for improving the university's overall performance.

The governor emphasised that investment in quality education, technological advancement and professional training was essential for Balochistan to benefit from emerging economic opportunities and secure its rightful place in future development.

Addressing the graduating students, Jaffar Mandokhail said the world was undergoing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in which technological advancements had transformed the relationship between the physical, digital and biological spheres.

He highlighted the growing significance of artificial intelligence, data science, solar energy, innovation and other emerging technologies, saying these fields were reshaping traditional development models and opening new avenues for national progress.

“In today's world, obtaining a degree alone is not enough,” he remarked, adding that practical skills, adaptability, creativity, innovation and strong ethical values were the qualities that distinguished successful individuals.

He stressed that knowledge acquired through education could become meaningful only when applied to solving real-world problems and improving society.

Highlighting Balochistan's strategic importance, the governor said the province possessed immense human potential, abundant natural resources and a unique geographical location that offered significant economic advantages.

He particularly highlighted the province's access to the Arabian Sea, describing it as a vital economic asset that connected the region with Central Asia and the Middle East through trade and connectivity corridors.

Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with Gwadar at its centre, Jaffar Mandokhail said the initiative was not merely a development project but a gateway to new economic opportunities, regional integration and long-term prosperity.

He said Balochistan's youth and graduates had an important role to play in capitalising on these opportunities through education, innovation, professional skills and active participation in the province's development.

The governor expressed confidence that continued improvements in higher education, coupled with technological advancement and effective institutional management, would help prepare the younger generation to meet future challenges and contribute meaningfully to national progress.

About the University of Balochistan

The University of Balochistan, established in October 1970, is the province's oldest and one of its leading public-sector institutions of higher learning. Founded shortly after Balochistan attained provincial status, the university began with two faculties, Science and Arts, and a handful of academic departments. Over the decades, it has expanded into a major centre of higher education and research, offering programmes in diverse disciplines and serving students from across the province. The institution was given a formal legislative framework under the University of Balochistan Act 1996 and is now governed by the Balochistan Universities Act 2022.