MUZAFFARABAD: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), Prof. Dr. Nasir Jamal Khattak, has said that teachers are true nation builders who not only shape minds but also nurture character, conscience, and citizenship. He was addressing the Best Teachers’ Award Ceremony as the Chief Guest, organized by the Association for Academic Quality (AFAQ), a non-profit organization working to enhance educational standards across Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Khattak said that education and health are the two pillars upon which nations stand strong. “We must invest and donate in education and health sectors because one institution makes lives better while the other saves lives,” he emphasized.
The Vice-Chancellor underlined the difference between being educated and being merely literate. “Literacy enables a person to read and write, but education refines one’s thinking, character, and conduct. Our goal should not be to produce literate people but educated citizens who understand values, ethics, and responsibilities,” he remarked.
He said that teachers’ role extends far beyond delivering lectures. “A true teacher helps students understand the complexities of life, guides them with wisdom, and contributes to their tarbiyaat, the moral and spiritual grooming that transforms individuals into responsible members of society,” he said.
Dr. Khattak highlighted that teachers play a key role in building a civilized society. “From teaching personal hygiene to community cleanliness, from fostering tolerance to promoting respect for differences of opinion, teachers lay the foundation of a healthy, progressive nation,” he noted.
Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in classrooms, he advised teachers to value their students’ curiosity. “Students come to you for learning. Respect them, encourage their questions, and never silence their voices. Protect their self-respect, because confidence grows only where respect exists,” he said.
Explaining the spirit of patriotism, Prof. Dr. Khattak said, “To be patriotic, it is not necessary to die for your country; live for it instead. Obey the law, pay taxes honestly, keep your surroundings clean, and contribute to the socio-economic progress of society. That is real love for the homeland.”
He called for strengthening the education and health sectors to make Pakistan a great nation, saying both institutions are central to human development and national strength.
The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the recipients of the Best Teachers’ Awards and appreciated AFAQ for organizing a graceful ceremony to acknowledge the efforts of educators. Around 400 teachers from various public and private institutions across Muzaffarabad received awards and souvenirs in recognition of their services.
Senior Zonal Manager AFAQ Shafqat Iqbal Abbasi and Deputy Zonal Manager Naeem ur Rehman Siddiqui thanked Prof. Dr. Nasir Jamal Khattak for his participation and for delivering an inspiring, thought-provoking address. They presented souvenirs to the vice-chancellor at the end of the event.
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