Introduction to The University

Hazara University (HU) is the public sector university in “Hazara Division”, fully engaged in the discovery, dissemination, synthesis, and application of knowledge. The HU is unique or being the beneficiary of the most selective blessings of Nature due to its attractive landscape and fascinating location. The University tries for the growth and development of the young minds in this healthy environment. The first draft of Hazara University Act was prepared by Higher Education Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the University Grants Commission (Now Higher Education Commission) in 1995. The University established under the Act of Provincial Assembly of the NWFP (Now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) titled, Hazara University Act 1997, on 29 April 1997. The then Governor, KP took the bold step of establishing Hazara University in 2001 in the old buildings which were vacated from Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Dhodial and Agriculture Department etc. and handed over to the University management. It was formally inaugurated by the then Governor, (Chancellor of the University) on 14 April 2002. Presently the university is functioning under the, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012 (amended 2016). The university during the last 20 years, achieved a number of milestones. The main contributions include spreading higher education across the Hazara Division by two of its campuses to full-fledged universities. The university with the support of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad has established a campus in Battagram a remote district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The university since its inception has reshaped the education in the country in general and at the Hazara division in particular. It can be safely said that the HU is now a leading university in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The university has witnessed a number of difficult situations including the earth quake of 2005 and with the dedication of the team, the university even emerged stronger than it used to be.

Location and Surroundings

The campus of Hazara University is located 14 kilometers to the north of Mansehra town on the right flank of Karakoram Highway (KKH) in a serene, peaceful, ideal and pollution free environment. Groves of pine trees across the campus enhance the natural beauty and accentuate the harmonious calm of its location. Towards the northeast, the hills are covered with dense forest and in the background far beyond there are the peaks of the snow-covered mountains of Kaghan Valley, which add to its panoramic attraction. On the western, southern and the eastern sides, the rolling ranges of hills further enhance the beauty of the captivating scene of the campus. The most famous and attractive summer resorts of Kaghan Valley, the legendary lake of Saif-ul-Maluk, Galiyat and Siran Valley with their fascinating mountains and hills are at a convenient distance of a few hours’ drive from the University Campus. The snowy mountain slopes of Kaghan Valley are a challenging attraction for the adventurous youth to pursue sports activities like skiing in winter season and mountaineering, hiking or trekking in summer.

Important Tourist and Historical sites closed by the University

The university is surrounded by the some very important and attractive tourist spot and historical sites. Details about few sites are given below, for details on other site, please refer to the official website of theuniversity.

The Karakoram Highway

The historical Karakoram Highway passing in front of the University. The gate no. 1 (maingate) is opening toward this highway. The Karakoram Highway (known informally as the KKH) is said to be the highest paved international road in the world. It’s the road to paradise – if you like exploring the mountains, that is. It’s regarded as one of the world’s hardest alpine climbs. The route of the KKH traces one of the many paths of the ancient Silk Road. The road has a length of 1,300 km (800 mi): Pakistan: 887 km (551 mi) and China: 413 km (257 mi). It was started in 1959 and was completed in 1986 after 27 years of corded drilling and construction.

CPEC main route

The main CPEC road is passing just a 0.5 KM away from the main campus of the university. The wonderful 2.8 kilometer long Mansehra Tunnel is just about 12 kilometer away from the main campus. The CPEC road connect Mansehra with other norther major cities, therefore, communication between students and the university is easy and fast. CPEC is not only name of the road but it is a giant economic cooperation between Pakistan and its long tested friend China. CPEC offers great opportunity to the students and faculty of Hazara university for academic and research excellence.

The giant rock of King Ashoka

Ashoka governed this area as a prince, imperial throne c. 272 B.C. he made it one of the major seats of his government. The Edicts of Ashoka inscribed on three large boulders near Mansehra record fourteen of Ashoka's edicts, presenting aspects of the emperor's dharma or righteous law. These represent some of the earliest evidence of deciphered writing in South Asia, dating to middle of the third century BC, and are written from right to left in the Kharosthi script.