IUB’s Abbasia Campus restored to its old glory

A Knowledge Monument sculpture has also been erected at University Chowk

BAHAWALPUR: The historic building of Abbasia Campus at Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) has been recently renovated and turned into a serene and peaceful academic campus.

A visit to the campus by The Express Tribune revealed that the double-storey building, located in the heart of Bahawalpur City, is being used as an administrative campus of the university. It consists of the vice chancellor’s secretariat as well as the offices of the registrar, treasurer and controller of examinations.

Recently, the campus was renovated to maintain the historic architecture of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. This campus was inaugurated as Jamia Abbasia Bahawalpur by Crown Prince Sahibzada Muhammad Abbas Khan Abbasi on October 5, 1950.



In 1975, the Jamia Abbasia campus, established by Nawab of Bahawalpur, was declared a chartered university which was converted into a modern, functional and attractive institution of southern Punjab.

Keeping in view the historical significance of the campus, IUB Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qaiser Mushtaq put his personal efforts into reviving the past splendor of the campus.



As part of the renovation works, a Knowledge Monument sculpture has been erected at University Chowk, in front of Abbasia Campus Gate. It is dedicated to late Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan V in recognition of his services to education. The sculpture, made of stainless steel, depicts books and a pen. It is 15 feet tall and weighs between 700 kilogrammes and 800 kilogrammes.

Similarly, the Ghulam Muhammad Ghotvi Hall, which was famous for Khutbat-e-Bahawalpur delivered by renowned Muslim scholar Prof Hameedullah in March 1981, has been renovated and upgraded into a state-of-the-art seminar hall.

A beautiful Jharoka (overhanging enclosed balcony) has been built at the entrance of the hall and tips its hat to similar structures at Derawar Fort and Sadiq Garh Palace.

Besides, the university guesthouse, located in the Abbasia Campus, has been upgraded with the addition of four new suites and a lavish dining room. After the extension, the university guest house has become one of the best boarding and lodging facilities in town. In addition, a biometric attendance and access control system has been installed at all university gates.

Meanwhile, university officials told The Express Tribune that the varsity has started a lecture series at Ghotvi Hall. They said the objective is to bring distinguished personalities to the university to share their insights in the respective areas of expertise and provide significant educational enrichment. They said this was a natural complement to academic activities at the campus.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2018.