PESHAWAR: University of Peshawar ViceChancellor Q azi Naeem has said that the varsity`s economics department has come up with very innovative programmes and subjects, which would be instrumental in the development of not only the institution but also the society.

He expressed these views while addressing the first-ever alumni reunion of the department of economics held here the other day.

The reunion brought together hundreds of former and current students of the institution.

Higher education minister Mina Khan Afridi, who is also a graduate of the economics department, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The first-ever reunion of a very vital academic department is a welcome development in the education culture of the institution. The idea of the reunion was conceived by the newlyappointed chairman of economics department Dr Sajjad Ahmed Jan, and was given an overwhelming response by ViceChancellor Qazi Naeem, fellow colleagues and students.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naeem said that the department of economics had made great progress over the decades and the graduates it had produced were a source of pride for the university.

He said that along with the department of economics its sister institution, department of development studies, had become the centre of attention of academics and the development sector.

`SoonMPhilandPhDprogrammes would be launched at the department of development studies,` he said.

On the occasion, Mina Khan Afridi said that whatever success he had achieved in his life was largely due to the UoP`s department of economics.

`Here I learned about different aspects of political economy and the key issues facing Pakistan and the region. This knowledge base is helping in my present role for which I am greatlyindebted tomyinstitution,` he said.

Chairman economics department Dr Ahmed Jan said the department had played a significant role in the development of Pakistan, especially KP province, as its graduates had been working in almost all walks of life very successfully. Bureau Report