Hazara University: Graduate programme in heritage management launched

Course begins this September in collaboration with British Council Islamabad.

PESHAWAR: The Department of Archaeology, Hazara University, Mansehra plans to launch a one-of-its-kind master’s degree programme, called Heritage Management Studies.

The programme will function in collaboration with the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, UK and will be funded by the British Council Islamabad under its Transnational Education Programme.

Dr Abdul Samad, head of the archaeology department of the university, while talking to The Express Tribune said, “There is no match in the world for our unique cultural heritage, unfortunately hardly any steps are taken to safeguard and promote our cultural diversity. This course is designed to meet strict international standards and will eventually lead to capacity building of the custodians of our heritage.”

Professor Muhammad Rafique Mughal from Harvard University volunteered his services and helped in developing the core modules for this programme, Samad informed.

The course, designed as per international standards, will be launched in September this year. Prior to that, formal training would be provided to faculty members at the University of Leicester by Dr Ruth Young, said Samad.

Hazara University Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Syed Sakhwant Shah lauded British Council’s contribution for the initiation of the programme.

“The Hazara University with the help of British Council in playing a leading role in the field of Archaeology, heritage management and preservation in the country,” said Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.