Meet our IVLP alumnus, Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari who has the privilege of being the youngest Vice Chancellor of Pakistan. Hailing from Kohat, Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari got a Doctor of Science degree from Kyoto University (Japan) followed by several Post Docs. Fellowships in Japan. He served Pakistan Museum of Natural History, National Agricultural Research Center, WWF-Pakistan, COMSTECH before his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Kohat University of Science & Technology. Being the Vice Chancellor of a university surrounded by tribal areas and where education especially for females was a rare commodity, Zabta was striving hard to extend higher education facilities to everyone. Hence, he was interacting with local and international agencies. It was then when the US-Council General in Peshawar told Zabta that the US is having International Visitors Leadership Program for leaders in Higher education and for this purpose, they are choosing two leaders (one from public and other from private sector) from various countries of Asia, Africa, and South America. He told Zabta that if he would agree then he would nominate him as a public sector representative.
Zabta Khan Shinwari agreed and went to the U.S. for IVLP. “I agreed and went to USA and am very happy to report that it proved to be a turning point in my life and in the higher education of Pakistan. I learnt a lot from the USA system, its accreditation (CHEA) etc. When I returned I applied all what I learnt not only in Pakistan but also abroad and it was replicated internationally,” says Zabta.
Some of the major achievements of Zabta Khan Shinwari include but not limited to extending higher education facilities to neglected communities especially females. When he took over university, the ratio of female students was 4% whereas it rose to 20% when he left. He established the University of Science and Technology in Banu; where people of Waziristan were major beneficiaries. During his fellowship, he learnt how to change perception of medical education and consequently, founded KUST Institute of Medical Sciences.
He also got the Best University Teacher Award from HEC, Pakistan. UNESCO awarded him the Avicenna Gold Medal in 2015 in recognition of his efforts in ‘Ethics in Science and Technology’. He is also Vice Chairman of the World Commission of Ethics in Scientific knowledge & Technology (COMEST) since 2016. He is Focal Person of Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO-HO, China), 2016-2022; He has also received the prestigious title of “Distinguished Scientist” from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019-2020.IVLP helped Zabta in establishing long lasting connections with an elite group of professionals from all over the world.
To be chosen and to strive to maintain the same set of principles as the great IVLP is a matter of immense pride. May he continue to shine in all endeavors of his life!
