By Our Web Reporter
LAHORE MIRROR — The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Islamia University of Bahawalpur Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar on Wednesday assumed charge as Vice Chancellor of IUB. He took the responsibility to perform the functions of the IUB VC under section 14(9) of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Act, 1975, on the completion of the tenure of Prof Dr Athar Mehboob as the varsity’s vice-chancellor.
According to the press release, Prof Dr Naveed Akhtar has a strong background in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. He received his early education from Govt. Abbasia High School and Govt. S. E. College Bahawalpur. He completed his B. Pharm. (Bachelor of Pharmacy) in 1989 and his MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree in the subject of Pharmaceutics from the University of Punjab in 1991.
In 1994, Dr. Naveed Akhtar joined the Islamia University of Bahawalpur as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutics. He recognized the importance of further education and pursued his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Technology from Anadolu University Eskisehir in Turkey, which he successfully completed in 2001.
Upon his return to Pakistan, Dr. Naveed Akhtar established the first state-of-the-art pharmaceutical cosmetics laboratory in the country. This laboratory played a central role in advancing research and development in the field of pharmaceutical cosmetics within Pakistan. Under his supervision, 35 PhDs and over 100 MPhil scholars have successfully completed their studies.
Dr. Naveed Akhtar has also made significant contributions to scientific literature, publishing around 300 research articles. His expertise and knowledge in pharmacy and cosmeceuticals are further evident through the authorship of six books, establishing him as a leading figure in the field.
His commitment to research has been recognized and supported by various funding agencies. He has successfully completed six research projects funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Science Foundation.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dr. Naveed Akhtar has achieved significant milestones in his professional career. He has steadily progressed through the ranks at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, being selected as an Assistant Professor in 2003, Associate Professor in 2008, and finally being promoted to the rank of Professor in 2011. These promotions reflect his expertise, experience, and impact in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Dr. Naveed Akhtar has also held various administrative positions within the university. He served as the Principal of the University College of Conventional Medicine from 2009-15, as Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy from 2011-2022, and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy in 2017 and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in 2021.
He was appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur in 2022.
Prof Dr. Naveed Akhtar has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions. These awards include the “Sitara Pakistan Gold Medal Award” and the “Quaid-e-Azam Gold Medal,” both awarded by the Tehreek-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan Council (Registered) Pakistan in 2011. He has also received the “Research Productivity Awards” from the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology for the years 2010 and 2016. These accolades highlight his excellence, dedication, and significant impact in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.
