Fatima Jinnah Women University Holds 22nd Convocation, Celebrating Academic Excellence and Women’s Empowerment

Rawalpindi — Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), the first public-sector university in Pakistan exclusively dedicated to women’s higher education, marked a significant milestone by holding its 22nd Convocation at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad. The event celebrated the academic achievements of the graduating Class of 2024 and reinforced the university’s commitment to empowering women through quality education.

Presided over by His Excellency Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of FJWU, the ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and senior university leadership. Degrees were conferred upon 1,450 graduates, including 1,203 undergraduate students, 214 MPhil scholars, 32 PhD recipients, and one Master’s graduate. A total of 44 gold medals and 23 silver medals were awarded in recognition of exceptional academic performance.

A particularly moving moment during the convocation was the recognition of a mother-daughter duo, Dr. Hina Gul and Ms. Nimra Yasmeen, who received their PhD and BS degrees together—a poignant symbol of intergenerational achievement and the transformative power of education.

In his address, Governor Saleem Haider Khan commended the university’s leadership and faculty for their dedication to advancing women’s education in Pakistan. He urged graduates to pursue lifelong learning and embrace adaptability in a rapidly changing world, drawing inspiration from the contributions of influential women in Islamic and Pakistani history.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza (Pride of Performance, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz) reflected on the university’s academic progress and institutional growth. She noted that FJWU now supports over 8,000 students across nearly 90 degree programs in 29 departments, with a faculty strength of 163, including 108 PhD holders. The university boasts an alumni network of more than 24,000 women contributing to various fields both nationally and internationally.

Recent achievements of the university include the launch of 14 new academic programs, the publication of 278 faculty research papers, and 172 academic engagements. The BS Computer Science and BS Environmental Sciences programs received accreditation, reflecting the university’s commitment to academic quality and compliance with international standards.

FJWU’s Business Incubation Centre, ranked in the X-Category, supported more than 50 startups and secured funding of PKR 24 million through partnerships with organizations such as USAID and HEC. The university has also established 15 Memorandums of Understanding with national and international institutions, including the U.S. Embassy, University of Essex, First Women Bank, NIC Islamabad, and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aimed at enhancing student mobility, research opportunities, and institutional innovation.

Key technological and infrastructure advancements were highlighted, including the implementation of a university-wide online management system and the initiation of a 724 kW solar energy project funded by HEC. Administrative restructuring and staff promotions were carried out to improve institutional efficiency.

The university also spotlighted its support for student innovation, showcasing projects such as a Speech Enabled Machine Translation System, Echoguide, and an AI-powered Burn Medic app that received national recognition. FJWU received significant international recognition, ranking 501–520 in Asia and 34th in Pakistan in the QS Asia Rankings 2025, 401 globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 91st globally in the WURI 2024 rankings, where it was also placed among the Top 100 institutions for Gender Equality and Quality Education.

To enhance student experience and career readiness, the university launched new internship programs across sectors including media, banking, and defense. Other initiatives included the Digital Pakistan Fellowship with Jazz, the Women Empowerment and Mentoring Program (WEMP), and the establishment of an IT Skill Center for students with special needs under USAID’s HESSA initiative.

In a proud moment for the university’s sports department, Ms. Nimra Rafiq of the Education Department led Pakistan’s Women’s Blind Cricket Team on its international debut in Australia, reflecting FJWU’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

Concluding the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr. Bushra Mirza expressed pride in the university’s students, faculty, alumni, and their families. She emphasized that the accomplishments celebrated at the convocation must serve as a stepping stone to responsible leadership, national contribution, and global impact. With its enduring mission and future-oriented vision, Fatima Jinnah Women University continues to shape Pakistan’s future through the empowerment of its women leaders.