The Quaid-i-Azam University (Urdu: جامعہ قائداعظم) is a public, research university in Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. It was initially founded as the "University of Islamabad" in July 1967. Located in the Margalla Hills, the University was renamed as "Quaid-i-Azam University" in 1976 at the time of centenary celebrations of the Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah after his title "Quaid-i-Azam" meaning "Great Leader". The University is rated as one of the top public institution of higher education in Pakistan which has qualified team of teachers and researchers. The alumnus of the University is called asQuadian and the slogan used by the students of Quaid-i-Azam University isQuaidian Once - Quaidian Forever.
History
The University was established as University of Islamabad under an Act of National Assembly passed in July, 1967. It started teaching and research program for M.Phil & Ph.D. degrees. Later on, it was decided to start M.Sc. degree program for graduates from all regions of the country, based on regional quota. The University was housed initially in rented buildings in Satellite Town, Rawalpindi and moved to its current campus in October 1971, which is located in the Margalla Hills near the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam.
Administration
The University is headed by the vice-chancellor. The administration section is composed of the Registrar, Controller Examinations, and several other offices regarding management and administration. Each faculty is lead by the dean and departments works under the chair and directors.
Institutes
- National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Islamabad
- Center of Excellence in Gender Studies
- National Defence College, Islamabad
- National Institute of Psychology, QAU, Islamabad
- National Institute of Pakistan Studies, QAU, Islamabad
- Computer Centre
- Area Study Centre for Africa, North & South America
Admissions
Admissions
The University awards MSc, MBA, MPA, MIT, MPhil and PhD degrees. Some short courses are also offered in computer sciences. Some departments offer Postgraduate Diploma while the Bachelors programmes have also been started.
Libraries
Dr. Raziuddin Siddiqui Memorial Libabry is the Central Library named after the first Vice-Chancellor of the University. He also served as the Emeritus professor of Physics at the University until his death in 1998. The Central Library contains over 1,95,000 volumes and subscribes more than 276 current titles of international journals. It provides computerized retrieval of bibliographic library database i.e. Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) for thousands of journals and online databases. The library also has a substantial collection of United Nations as a depository library. Quaid-i-Azam University campus is also linked with HEC digital library which provides access to many worldwide online databases. Some departments have their subject specific libraries located in the departmental buildings. These seminar libraries are located in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Defense and Strategic Studies, Economics, History, and Physics.
Research
Quaid-i-Azam University has its repuation as a research facility all over the country. Quaid-i-Azam University has established research collaboration with universities in the United States, Europe and South Asia. Among several other internationally collaborated activities are The Asian African Association for Plasma Training being carried out in many developing countries of the world.
Rankings and Reputation
For QS Top 100 Asian universities QAU was ranked 46th in natural science category for year 2010. The university was overall ranked between 500-600 among the QS world top universities in 2007 and 2009. According to the 2006 ranking of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam University is ranked first in the general category. As per rankings of OIC universities, QAU stood first in ranking among Muslim countries universities. More than 80% of the teachers hold doctoral degrees and have overseas experience. More than 80% of the teachers hold doctoral degrees with experience of working in renowned universities of the world. The University has the distinction of having a large number of distinguished scientists and educationists as its faculty members, holding national awards and international recognition.
Student Life
Student Organizations
QAU has a quota merit system with specific seats for each province. This diverse cultural landscape gives uniqueness to the University in Pakistan and students coming from different areas of Pakistan represent their cultural values in the students cultural councils.
Accommodation
Hostel accommodation is provided to the students coming outside of Islamabad. There are separate hostels for boys and girls. Hostel accommodation is provided with shops, cafeteria, laundary, TV room and common rooms.
Extracurricular Acitivities
The University has a gym for sports facilities, and hosts and participates in national level inter-universities sports event. There is an office of students affair which manages students bodies for arts, literature, debates and poetry events.
Alumni
Quaid-i-Azam University has an alumni which is still in the process of formalization.
