(A Brief Outline)
The Vice Chancellor of the` newly established University of Baltistan, Skardu had extensive meetings with the faculty, academia, civil society, political representatives, media persons and notables after he formally resumed his duties at the University. In the light of the suggestions of all stakeholders, need of the time, contextual relevance and global demands of higher education and research, the following future plans are proposed. Proposals, development plans and implementation plans will be developed for the proposed plans which can be materialized in collaboration with different organizations and research bodies.
Faculties, Departments, Institutes, and Centers of Excellence:
Faculties, Departments, Institutes, and Centers of Excellence are the core academic pillars of any renowned university. University of Baltistan, Skardu has included the following bodies in its future plans keeping in view its historical, culture and geographical position in the world and current jobs and economic prospects in the region.
- Strengthening of existing and launching of approved faculties and departments
- Institute of Archeology, Cultural Studies, Buddhism, Bonnism and Islam with museum.
- Establishment of Faculty of Natural Resource Management (NRM)
- Establishment of Faculty of Education
- Establishment of Faculty of Social Sciences
- Establishment of Faculty of Information, Communication, GIS, Remote Sensing, Robotics and Satellite Imaging
- Faculty of Integrated Mountain Studies
- Institute of Mountain Geology
- Mountain Agriculture Research Centre,
- Centre for Karakoram Biodiversity,
- Department of Glaciology and Snow Sciences
- Establishment of Agriculture Department at UOBS
- Department of Food Sciences
- Department of Law
- Establishment of ‘Kesar Cultural Center’ for Heritage Studies
- Center for Mineral Resource Development, Baltistan
- Center for Renewable Energy Research
- International Center for Research in Mountain Agriculture
- International Center for study and preservation of Balti and other local languages
- International Center for Community Organization and Rural Development
- Establishment of Pak-China (Iqbal-Confucius) Institute
- Establishment of Vocational and Skill Development Centre (Professional Short Courses)
- Center of Excellence for studies on glaciers and water resources
- Area Study Center for Tibetan Studies (Tibet, Laddakh & Little Tibet)
- Conservation of Bio-diversity (i.e. snow leopard, Brown Bear, Yak, other wildlife fauna and herbal flora, medicinal plants),
- Environmental protection and conservation of national parks (i.e. Deosai, CKNP) and Heritages of Baltistan.
- Center for research on mountain communities,
- Center for promotion of indigenous technologies
- Center for Tourism Development (eco-tourism, cultural tourism etc.) and Sports (local sports i.e Polo, Skiing, rafting, climbing, paragliding etc.)
- Mountain Climbing School
- Establishment of UOBS Liaison Office & Student Winter Camp at Islamabad
- Establishment of Business Incubation Center
- Branding and Certification (i.e ISO certification, Green Club Certification)
- Establishment of Chamber of Commerce Skardu for promotion of trade
- Establishment of IT Support, Services and Development Centre
- Youth Development Center and Alumni networking
- Baltistan University Volunteer Core
Linages/Outreach
University of Baltistan, Skardu will develop linkages and coordinate with local, national and international universities, organizations and institutions for collaborative knowledge generation, research and upgradation of national and local communities.
International Organizations/Institutes:
- MoU between University of Baltistan, Skardu (UOBS) and Baltistan Foundation (Fundazioa), Spain
- MoUs between UOBS and British Council,
- MoUs between UOBS and USAID,
- MoUs between UOBS and Confucius Institute, China
- MoU with the Country Director China for CPEC projects
- Establishment of Directorate of External Linkages and Outreach
- MoU/Membership with Himalayan University Consortium
- MoU/Membership with Basque Universities Consortium, Spain
- Academic Exchange and R&D Coordination with the Norwegian government (NORAD)
- Collaboration with UNESCO and other UN bodies
- Collaboration with EU countries for scholarships and R&D activities, exposure visits and exchange of students
- Collaboration with other North American, East Asian and SAARC countries
- Collaboration between embassy of European Commission and European Aqua Congress with UOBS
- Cross border students exchange between Baltistan GB and Sinkiang China
Local Government/Communities of Gilgit-Baltistan
- Community Outreach in coordination with Social Welfare Department
- Teachers training program for Collages and Schools in collaboration with Education Department
- Linkages with GB government (Departments of Agriculture, Education, Forest, Social Welfare, Environment & others)
- Collaboration with PCSIR for processing of agri-products
- Production of agri-products (Soghat) by value addition of the local products (e.g apricot oil, walnut oil, sea buckthorn oil, Yak butter)
- Youth Skill Development and Professional Training
- Coordination with AKRS,P; BCDF, Marafie Foundation
Academic Linkages:
- Close collaboration will be established with KIU, being the sister university of the region
- All national universities in the Pakistan.
- University of Baltistan, Skardu aspires to develop academic and research linkages with international universities
- Invitation of Adjunct Faculties for specialized subjects renowned academia
Quality Assurance and Accreditations: To ensure quality education at university all the degree and non-degree programs will be accredited with respective national and international accreditation councils according to HEC QAA guidelines, such as NACTE, NCEAC etc.
Research dissemination and publication
- Publication of valued manuscripts of local researchers/authors
- Publication of university newsletter, magazines and journals
- FM Radio, programs on local cable network
- Digital library
Faculty Development Programs
- Grant of PhD, MS scholarships
- Scholarships/fellowships to promote research on local languages, cultures, ecology and natural resources
- Faculty exchange with other universities
- In-service faculty education through seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences
- Access to and facilitation of online courses and research materials