CUI Annual Report 2019-20
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UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C COMSATS University Islamabad Annual Report 2019-20 Annual Report 2019-2020 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi chaired a meeting at Aiwan e Saddar as CUI’s Chancellor. Rector CUI along with Pro Chancellors were also present Professor Dr. Muhammad T. Afzal assumed charge as Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad in a graceful ceremony held at CUI Principal Seat on July 20, 2020 Annual Report 2019-2020 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C Rector’s Message It is a privilege to present the Annual Report of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) for 2019-2020. The achievements painted in this report reveal the phenomenal work, devotion of all members of the CUI community and is a proud evidence of our University which has earned significant reputation as one of the premier universities of the Higher Education in the Country. During the last twenty years of its momentous journey, CUI has accomplished tremendous growth and development in its pursuit towards bringing quality education and reshaping the higher education scenario of our beloved Country. Today, CUI has endeavored to improve quality standards of higher education as it is the fast-growing research-based university in Pakistan, with a wide range of academic programs, ranging from basic sciences to cutting edge emerging technologies making it an ideal place for higher studies. With the support of Government, CUI has made investments in establishing inter-disciplinary research centers in various fields for the development of products and processes indigenously for local industry and society for socioeconomic development of Pakistan. CUI has maintained a strong global outlook in this year by appearing in world top 800 universities in TIMES Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2020, 801-1000 in QS World Universities Rankings 2021 and at 221 position in THE University Impact Rankings 2020. Overall, this year is yet another successful year for the CUI in terms of programs offered, student's enrollment, research publications, infrastructure and International Outlook, etc. CUI has been persistent in providing transformative education and services to nurture its students. I am confident that CUI will remain committed to its endeavors in providing quality education and research and further contribute significantly for the socio-economic development of the country. Prof. Dr. Muhammad T. Afzal Rector Annual Report 2019-2020 03 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C Executive Summary COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) was established in 1998 as a Center of Excellence of Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) with a vision to revolutionize the higher education paradigm. In 2000, CIIT was awarded charter of Degree Awarding Institute and in April 2018, CIIT was upgraded to COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) i.e. to a university status. The CUI has completed its 20 years and I am ecstatic to share that the University has been continuously improving and the year 2019-20 is no exception. This Annual report starts with an overview of the University, highlighting some important facts like mission, vision, and its governance structure. The first chapter befittingly covers the academic activities describing the variety of programs being offered at CUI. Obtaining position in world's premier rankings like TIMES Higher Education, and QS is also worth mentioning. This chapter highlights the foreign academic and institutional linkages and improvement in its Internationalization efforts during the reporting period. The chapter two elaborates the Research and Development activities, be it in terms of projects, publications, conferences, seminars, and workshops. The detail of those held during the reporting period is incorporated in this chapter. Few of the major workshops/seminars/ symposia include Frontiers of Information Technology, Symposium on Biomedical Materials, International Conference on Drug Development, and Global Forum on Islamic Finance, etc. The chapter also provides information about the research collaborations and activities, significantly, the research publications during the reporting period reached to a figure of 2,714 making a total of 14,000. So far 84 patents have been registered out of which 29 are granted. The third chapter is about Quality Assurance and significant steps taken in ensuring quality of teaching and research in the Institute. CUI understands the importance of competent faculty and to provide them with opportunities for growth and development. Chapter four describes the faculty development at CUI which is the largest faculty development program among the universities/institutions of higher education in the country. The faculty members stand at a figure of 2,787 during the reporting period including 1,139 PhD's. Until August 31, 2020, more than 450 scholars have returned and rejoined CUI after completing their higher studies abroad. Faculty Development Academy (FDA) of the Institute has continued to provide pre-service and in-service trainings to cater the training needs of the faculty. Foreign faculty is also hired in order to provide diversity among the faculty. Chapter five enlists the basic facts about the students like enrollment, equity, and faculty-student ratio, etc. The student enrollment as of August 31, 2020 (Spring 2020) is 34,010. The highest enrollment was observed in Faculty of Information Science and Technology with 12,249 students. 04 Annual Report 2019-2020 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C The next chapter, Universities Building Economies, contains the information on linkages established with the industry and the activities of Business Incubation Center and Cubator1 in promoting entrepreneurship. The University understands and realizes its duty of providing students with as all possible help and guidance during their stay at CUI. In order to help them in their career development, CUI has established internship and placement offices at its campuses which are also responsible for career counseling of the students. Different workshops/seminars are organized by these offices to make students aware of the challenges they may face in their careers. Chapter seven and eight highlight the strengthening of physical and technological infrastructure including details of development and construction projects, research equipment, digital library, PERN, video conferencing, etc. Until the end of FY 2019-20, CUI has completed 53 development projects, while 04 projects are on-going. The library at CUI provides access to more than 32,000 high quality journals/articles/databases through HEC's Digital Library provision. Chapter nine provides information about the public service activities, which CUI feels its obligations. Besides teaching and learning, sports and co-curricular activities are very helpful in developing strong personalities and instilling various traits. The events held/participated in this regard during the reporting period are elaborated in chapter ten and eleven. The next chapter provides financial information while chapter thirteen covers the paradigm of University Governance. Chapter fourteen highlights Students Financial Aid Offices at campuses. The report in hand ends with chapter fifteen, which provides generic details about medical/health facilities available at campuses of CUI, and counseling service being provided for stress reduction. The report concludes with relevant annexure supplementing the information contained in the report. Prof. Dr. Shamsul Qamar Registrar Annual Report 2019-2020 05 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C Table of Contents Rector's Message 03 Executive Summary 04 Preface 09 COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) 10 Chapter-1 Academic Activities Programs Offered 17 Undergraduate Programs 17 Graduate Programs 17 Academic Achievements 17 Graduates Produced 19 Foreign Academic Linkages 19 Institutional Linkages 20 Visits of Foreign Delegations 20 Honors and Awards 23 Internationalization Efforts 24 Chapter-2 Research and Development An Overview 27 Operations of Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) 27 Research Projects 27 Research Publications 30 Conferences, Seminars and Workshops 32 Chapter-3 Quality Assurance Quality Enhancement Cell 39 Membership of Associations/Networks 40 Accreditation of Academic Programs from Relevant Councils 40 Chapter-4 Faculty Development Human Resource Development 45 Scholars Studying Abroad 46 Scholars Rejoined 50 Faculty 51 In-service Trainings 51 Accomplishments of International Faculty 53 Chapter-5 Access Student Enrolment 59 Equity 61 Gender-wise Detail of Student Enrolment 61 Faculty-Student Ratio 61 Annual Report 2019-2020 UNI TS VE A R S S I M T O Y C Chapter-6 Universities Building Economies University-Industry Linkages 63 Business Incubation Center 67 Cubator1 69 Internship and Placement Office 73 Student Counseling and Career Guidance 74 Chapter-7 Strengthening Physical Infrastructure Development Projects 79 Physical Infrastructure 80 Construction Projects 83 Chapter-8 Strengthening Technological Infrastructure Digital Library 85 Pakistan Education and Research Network 86 Video Conferencing Facilities 87 Campus Management Solution 87 Online Admission System 88 Online Course Offering 88 Chapter-9 Universities Building Communities University-Community Building and Interaction 91 Alumni Affairs and Achievements 96 Chapter-10 Sports Inter-departmental Sports 99 Participation in National Championships 102 Achievements at National Level 102 Chapter-11 Universities Building Leadership