Degrees Open Doors, but Research that Improves Lives Builds Nations,” Says Dr Khushk

Khairpur, July 3, 2026

Press Release

The 19th meeting of the Academic Council of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, was held today at the Meeting Hall of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair, with Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk presiding over the proceedings.

Dr. Amjad Hussain, representative of the Federal Higher Education Commission (HEC), participated online in the session, which marked a significant milestone in the university's academic journey.

In his presidential address Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk said universities must be judged by the quality of education, impactful research, and service to society. He urged academic decisions guided by integrity, innovation, AI, quality assurance, and the preparation of globally competitive, ethically responsible graduates.

Dr Khushk called on faculty to transform every thesis into impactful, funded research addressing real societal challenges and urged departments to actively pursue HEC Faculty Exchange opportunities, strengthen international partnerships, modernize curricula, and expand collaborative teaching and research.

The Council confirmed the minutes of its previous 18th meeting held on August 28, 2025, and reviewed follow-up actions on resolutions including the Research Policy 2025, Institutional Research Ethics Policy, reserved postgraduate seats for students with disabilities, and mandatory research-publication requirements for MS/MPhil scholars.

The Council adopted two new national higher-education frameworks: the HEC's 2026 Policy on Dual, Double, and Joint Degree Programmes, which establishes rules for collaborative degrees with local and foreign institutions, and the HEC's revised December 2025 Faculty Exchange Program policy supporting exchanges with top 300-ranked global universities.

In a major development, the Council approved the award of 146 MPhil and 37 PhD degrees to research scholars across natural sciences, social sciences, arts, physical sciences, education, and management sciences faculties, based on recommendations from four recent meetings of the Advanced Studies & Research Board.

The Council also ratified several decisions taken, including provisional approval of the 2025 Scheme of Studies for BS programs in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Software Engineering; new appointments to Boards of Studies and Boards of Faculty; and the implementation of HEC's revised National Fee Refund Policy (2024), which establishes a sliding refund scale from 100 percent up to the 10th day of classes to no refund after the 30th day.

Admissions policy reform featured prominently on the agenda, with the Council considering a revised merit formula for General Admissions 2027 recommended by the university's Admission Committee. The proposed weightage shifts to 20 percent for Matriculation, 30 percent for Intermediate, and 50 percent for the entry test, compared to the previous 10-30-60 split.

Other significant decisions included the adoption of HEC's Undergraduate Internship Policy, approval of new certificate courses proposed by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, and implementation of an HEC directive requiring a mandatory 3-credit-hour Artificial Intelligence course across all degree programs starting Fall 2026.

The Council reviewed recommendations from Boards of Faculty across various disciplines, approving a new LLM program at the SZAB School of Law, revised BS and postgraduate curricula, inclusion of Fahm-e-Quran courses, and new certificate and diploma programs including a Diploma in Museum Studies proposed by the Department of Archaeology.

Learned members of the Academic Council lauded the Vice Chancellor's vision and tangible efforts to promote quality education, transparency, research, and development at the university. They expressed satisfaction over the university's performance in academic activities and development, appreciating Prof. Dr. Khushk for successfully steering the institution toward progress and establishing it as a quality institution of higher education.

The meeting was attended by Pro Vice-Chancellors Professor Dr. Zia Maqsood and Professor Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, Deans Professor Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Professor Dr. Minhoon Khan Laghari, and Professor Dr. Liaquat Ali Chandio, Prof Dr Sarwar Markhand, Prof Dr Taj Lashari, Prof Dr Zafer Jatoiee Registrar Muhammad Hassan Halepoto, professors, directors, chairpersons, controllers of examinations, representatives of affiliated colleges, and other members of the learned Council.

Media Section

Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur