Officials from Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) and the Directorate General of Religious Education (DGRE) on Thursday emphasized the need to integrate religious and contemporary education, saying the approach would better prepare students for a rapidly evolving and increasingly interconnected world.
The remarks were made during a visit by Director General of Religious Education Major General (retd.) Ghulam Qamar, who led a delegation of students to SSUET and held discussions with Chancellor Muhammad Akbar Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Afzal Haque, Registrar Commodore (retd.) Syed Sarfraz Ali and other senior university officials.
Addressing the meeting, Chancellor Muhammad Akbar Ali Khan said religious education remained an important component of learning but should be complemented with modern academic and technical disciplines to broaden students’ opportunities and perspectives.
He said students should be equipped not only with madrasa education but also with the skills and competencies required to succeed in a globalized environment. Integrating religious instruction with contemporary education, he added, would help produce well-rounded individuals capable of contributing positively to society.
Highlighting the university’s achievements, Akbar Ali Khan said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had recognized SSUET on four occasions for its efforts in providing vocational education and skill development programmes, reflecting the institution’s commitment to quality education and training.
Major General (retd.) Ghulam Qamar said education was most effective when it preserved values while embracing progress. He noted that mainstreaming madrasa education was essential to enabling students to acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to compete in today’s world without losing touch with their educational heritage.
He said the technical training programme was designed to provide participants with hands-on experience, practical knowledge and the confidence to pursue opportunities across a range of professional fields.
The DGRE chief also underscored the country’s growing demand for skilled labour and stressed the importance of vocational training in addressing workforce shortages.
During the visit, Ghulam Qamar toured classrooms and computer laboratories and commended the facilities and academic environment at the university.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aamir, Prof. Dr. Mir Shabbar Ali, Dr. Kashif Shaikh, Hassan Zaki, Munaf Advani, Noman Ali Khan and other faculty members and officials.