Abbottabad + UNS– COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, successfully hosted the Closing Ceremony of the 15-Day Soft Skills Training Program, conducted under the HEC-DAAD Empower Future Female Afghan Leaders (EFFAL – Pakistan Track) initiative. The program was jointly sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany.
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Jan Gerald Krausser, First Secretary and Head of Communications, Cultural Affairs and Protocol, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, as the Chief Guest. The Guest of Honour was Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Vice Chancellor of Hazara University. Other distinguished dignitaries included Mr. Jahanzeb Khan, Project Director HEC; Mr. Mehboob Ali Shah, HEC; Prof. Dr. Shahid Khattak, Director COMSATS Abbottabad Campus; Prof. Dr. Irshad, Dean Faculty of Health Sciences; and Mrs. Humra Jamshed, Incharge International Office.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Humra Jamshed emphasised the role of the International Office in supporting international students. Dr. Malik Tahir Hayat, Training Coordinator, highlighted the program’s objectives and shared details about the training modules, which included Leadership, Communication Skills, Proposal Writing, Freelancing, Digital Marketing, Office Automation, and Artificial Intelligence. These modules were delivered by 26 expert trainers through highly interactive sessions combining theory, practice, and hands-on computer training. Students also participated in task-based activities and presented their outcomes, demonstrating enhanced communication and professional skills.
Mr. Jahanzeb Khan (HEC Project Director) underscored the importance of the initiative in empowering Afghan female students and praised the role of DAAD and COMSATS in its successful execution. Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba Shah (VC Hazara University) acknowledged the impact of such training programs in strengthening academic and career pathways for both Afghan and Pakistani students.
In his keynote address, Mr. Jan Gerald Krausser appreciated the organisers and encouraged students to actively engage in academic and extracurricular opportunities. He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment, through DAAD, to continue supporting capacity-building initiatives for students in Pakistan and the region.
Concluding the event, Prof. Dr. Shahid Khattak, Director of COMSATS Abbottabad Campus, thanked the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, HEC, DAAD, and the organising committee. He assured that COMSATS will continue to lead efforts in hosting similar academic and professional development programs in the future. (Abdul Waheed Khan Abbottabad)
