Women's Institute of Science & Humanities
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| Women's Institute of Science & Humanities | |
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| Motto: | Progressive in Vision, Islamic in Ethos, Global in Character |
| Established: | |
| Type: | Private |
| President: | Prof. Tayyeb Gulzar Khan |
| Undergraduates: | approx. 300 |
| Location: | Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Affiliations: | HEC, Riphah International University |
| Website: | www.wish.edu.pk |
Women's Institute of Science & Humanities - WISH is one of the premier institutes of higher learning for women in Pakistan, committed to encourage and provide balanced and progressive education with excellence to a diverse female student population to meet the challenges of the future. In due course of time, WISH will be a chartered women's university offering programs in modern disciplines in a values based environment.
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[edit] History
Established in 2003 in the heart of the city of Islamabad, it caters to students from all over Pakistan and abroad. WISH is currently affiliated with Riphah International University.
The idea of an educational institution of higher learning for women was conceived as far back as the mid-1990s. The concept was to build an institution of excellence that would provide means of empowerment of women through knowledge and values.
The initial capital to construct the campus came from Muslims living in North America and Europe. 2.5 acres of prime land was acquired in Islamabad and the first building was ready for occupany by 2002. WISH opened its doors for admission finally in the Fall of 2003.
During its first year of operation, it offered admissions to women in the fields of Education, Computer Science and Islamic Studies. Over the past few years, a number of departments and programs have been added as enumerated below.
A number of illustrious educationists have been affiliated with this institution right from its inception. These include Prof. Tayyeb Gulzar Khan (President), Dr. Anis Ahmad (Vice Chancellor of Riphah International University), Dr. Inamur Rahman (Founder and Professor Emeritus of PIEAS), Prof. Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui (first Head of Dept. of Islamic Studies at WISH), Dr. Khalid Alavi (renowned scholar of Islamic Studies), Dr. Ilyas Ahmad (educationist), Dr. M.A. Qazi (Director) and Dr. Zahid Hussain (Head of Dept. of Science Education), Dr. Mustafeez Alvi (Head of Dept. of Islamic Studies) and Ms. Mona Rafiq (Educationist).
[edit] Mission Statement
- To educate and empower women through integrated and well-balanced education with excellence
- To inspire them to bring up future generations with faith in Allah
- To motivate them to participate in building societies free of ignorance, injustice, poverty and prejudice.
[edit] Aims and Objectives
WISH is preparing tomorrow's women leaders as teachers, school psychologists, curriculum designers, scholars in Islamic Studies, qualified accounants, managers, media personnel and computer specialists. It is committed to create an environment that is inspiring, creative and challenging. It is hoped that generations of Muslim women will benefit from WISH and a new era of enlightenment, piety and culture will emerge from the corridors of this Alma Mater. WISH aims to:
- Offer values-based holistic education for intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural development of women;
- Offer full support to expand the students' intellectual horizons by providing them with access to sources of learning available around the world.
- Provide facilities, resources and services for ensuring environment conducive to active learning and research.
- Facilitate the enhancement of interpersonal communications, analytical ability, thinking skills and democratic leadership.
[edit] Programs
Currently, WISH offers Bachelors and Masters degree programs in the following disciplines:
- Education (Science and Arts)
- Basic Sciences
- Computer Science
- Commerce
- Business Administration
- Islamic Studies
- Languages and Literature
- Arts & Humanities
[edit] Student Facilities
[edit] Library
In a short span, WISH has built an excellent library that provides research facilities to its students. Currently, its library houses nearly 10,000 hard bound volumes, 90,000 volumes in digital format, over 18,000 full text journals, nearly ten million articles and six million reference resources. The library also provides access to online digital libraries like Questia which has a wealth of information on all subjects.
[edit] Language Laboratory
WISH is equipped with a state of the art language laboratory to facilitate learning of English and other foreign languages.
[edit] Computer Laboratories and Internet
All girls have access to the modern computer laboratory facilities for their computing needs. Even girls who are in Social Sciences, Languages and Islamic Studies disciplines are encouraged to acquire the tools of computer usage. In addition, Internet facility is provided to the students to have access to the wealth of information available, and for emails.
[edit] Hostels
At present, WISH has an in-house dormitory facility to house over 100 women with a high level of security. It has an excellent dining facility as well that provides all the meals in a hygienic environment. The students living on campus have access to an on-campus shop to buy articles of daily needs. An automated self-help laundry facility is also available.
[edit] Sports and Extra Curricular Activities
The institute provides facilities for the promotion of games and co-curricular activities. The students are encouraged to participate in inter-departmental games and competitions organized by the Riphah International University and other civic agencies in the city of Islamabad.
Students also participate in debates, declamation contests, quizzes and seminars organized by the institute or student bodies.
[edit] Financial Assistance Programs
WISH is a very unusual institution in terms of trying to attract women from all strata of the society. It offers financial assistance to nearly 40% of the women who are studying at the institution. This assistance is offered on the basis of need and merit.
[edit] Student Activities
[edit] Student Government
In order to maintain discipline and facilitate students to solve their own problems, WISH has introduced a system of Student Proctors. The hierarchy comprises Class Representatives, Proctors from each Department, and a Senior Proctor. The Chief Proctor is normally a senior teacher.
[edit] WISH Intellectual Forum
An intellectual forum has been established at WISH with the aim of organizing healthy intellectual activities for WISH students, teachers and people from other walks of life. Renowned scholar and educationist Dr. Khalid Alavi is its President. Various functions have taken place under the auspices of this forum. Some of the key speakers invited to different sessions of the forum included Mr. Farhat Mazari (former Political Advisor to the Prime Minister), Mr. Muhammad Khan Minhas, Dr. Omer Bajwa from USA, Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari (Director General of Islamic Research Institute, IIUI), Mr. Sohail Umer (Director Iqbal Academy Lahore), and Dr. Anis Ahmad (Vice Chancellor, Riphah International University).
