‘University committed to students regardless of financial constraints’

Barrett Hodgson University hosts its first orientation session

KARACHI: We need to emphasise making students knowledgeable and capable enough to compete with the rest of the world, as the hopes and dreams of elders rest with the Pakistani youth, said Barrett Hodgson University (BHU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Arif Siddiqui while addressing the varsity’s first orientation session held at its Salim Habib Campus.
High-quality human resources are the need of every growing economy. In Pakistan however, the opportunities available to the youth for gaining high-quality education and skills remain limited, he added.



“Not even 1% of the population can aspire to be highly-qualified and this places a great deal of responsibility on the institutes of higher education, as well as on the students.”
Dr Siddiqui said, “All of you [students] have come to this new university with its innovative curriculum, giving special emphasis on pedagogical skills, through which knowledge will be imparted. You are making history as the co-founders of BHU.”



He said that the discovery of new knowledge involved in the education process is central to the university’s goals and it believes in working with creative minds willing to challenge the established practices.
The BHU faculty, which includes 23 PhD holders, will play a pivotal role in helping students achieve skills required for the future as educators and mentors, as well as advisers. They will bring richness of experience, both in terms of their scholarly pursuits and diversity.
He said that the university was committed to students, regardless of their financial constraints. “The need-based admission policy will ensure that once a student is accepted, BHU will do everything in its means to facilitate their stay while they completed their course of studies,” he added.



Dr Siddiqui lauded the efforts of the Salim Habib Education Foundation Chairperson and philanthropist Dr MS Habib.
“I welcome you all to this university and we look forward to working with you over many years to come,” he said.
Earlier, BHU Registrar Captain (retd) Ahmed Zaheer welcomed students’ parents to the session and provided them with an overview of the academic and disciplinary policies. This was followed by brief introductions of the faculties by the respective deans.