The Mentorship Program Committee of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) successfully organized the inaugural webinar of the Mentoring Program for Universities (MPU) – NAHE Phase II, under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, on 2nd July 2026. The session, titled "Communication Skills for University Faculty," marked the beginning of a comprehensive faculty mentoring initiative aimed at strengthening mentoring and leadership capacities among university faculty members.

The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the opening remarks by Dr. Anum Shafique, Host of the session and member of the Mentorship Program Committee. In her welcome address, she highlighted the objectives of the MPU-NAHE initiative, emphasizing that the program is designed to cultivate a strong culture of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous professional development among faculty members, who will, in turn, mentor and guide their students.

The keynote session was delivered by Mr. Adeel Hashmi, a renowned Communication Skills Expert, Trainer, Consultant, and Educator. Through an engaging and interactive presentation, he shared valuable insights into the significance of effective communication in academia and mentorship. He emphasized that communication extends beyond speaking—it involves active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence, clarity of purpose, constructive feedback, and building meaningful professional relationships. He encouraged faculty members to become intentional communicators who inspire trust, motivate learners, and create inclusive learning environments.

The webinar concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, during which faculty members actively engaged with the resource person, discussing practical communication challenges encountered in teaching, mentoring, and professional interactions.

The webinar was successfully organized by the Mentorship Program Committee (MPC) under the Empowerment and Mentoring Program (WEMP) at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. The committee is chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Javaid Asad (Director UIBB/DQE) and comprises Dr. Gulshan Irshad (Associate Professor/Director Academics), Dr. Ayesha Riaz (Associate Professor/Additional Director, DQE), Dr. Namra Khan (Lecturer, Department of Sociology), and Dr. Anum Shafique (Lecturer, UIMS), who serves as the Secretary/Member. Through their dedicated planning, coordination, and teamwork, the committee ensured the successful organization and smooth execution of the inaugural MPU- NAHE Phase II webinar.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Syeda Iram Umer, Director, Women Development and Study Center, who expressed sincere gratitude to the resource person, the Vice Chancellor, the organizing committee, and all participating faculty members. She reaffirmed that the MPU-NAHE initiative is a significant national effort to promote mentorship, leadership, and lifelong professional learning in higher education and expressed hope that the knowledge gained would positively influence both faculty and students in the years ahead.

The inaugural session concluded on a highly positive note, setting a strong foundation for the forthcoming MPU-NAHE mentoring sessions and reaffirming PMAS-AAUR's commitment to academic excellence, faculty development, and a sustainable culture of mentorship.