**University of Utah Professors Visit Fatima Jinnah Women University to Boost Higher Education Reforms**
Professors Dr. Aslam Chaudhry and Dr. Michael Barber from the University of Utah visited Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) as part of ongoing efforts to evaluate and reinforce higher education reforms under the USAID-funded Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA). The visit focused on reviewing progress, ensuring sustainability, and developing a future roadmap for these transformative initiatives at FJWU.
During their visit, the professors held a meeting with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza (Pride of Performance, T.I.), alongside other senior university officials, including Prof. Dr. Azra Yasmin (Director, Campus II), Prof. Dr. Ghulam Behlol (Dean, Faculty of Education), and Prof. Dr. Bushra Yasmin (Director QEC/Institutional Lead, Student Support Services). The discussions centered on evaluating the achievements of FJWU’s ongoing capacity-building programs, as well as strategizing enhancements to student support and institutional development.
The University of Utah representatives reaffirmed their commitment to assisting FJWU in scaling up key initiatives, particularly the implementation of the university’s newly approved Institutional Strategic Plan and the expansion of Student Support Services. They underscored the importance of leveraging the expertise of FJWU faculty and staff trained through HESSA to extend capacity-building efforts to other higher education institutions across Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Bushra Mirza expressed gratitude for the continued collaboration and guidance provided by Professor Chaudhry, Professor Barber, and their teams. She highlighted the milestone approval of FJWU’s Institutional Strategic Plan by the university’s Syndicate, noting that its rollout will include annual KPI reviews, performance follow-ups, and alignment with the Financial Plan to maximize tangible outcomes.
Dr. Mirza also outlined other recent achievements, including the successful completion of capacity-building programs for Heads of Departments and administrative staff. She noted that integrated student support activities, conducted in two phases, addressed six core components: Financial Aid, Career Readiness, Student Leadership and Co-Curricular Engagement, Alumni Engagement and Development, Student Entrepreneurship, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further enhancing FJWU’s systems and programs in alignment with HESSA’s overarching objective—to foster a high-quality learning environment that better prepares students for both employability and personal growth.
