In Focus: Prof. Dr.

Akhtar Naeem Khan, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

Dr. Akhtar Naeem Khan has been serving the Department of Civil Engineering, UET Peshawar
since November 1983 and is currently a Professor (July 2001) and chairman of the department
(August 2005). His research interests are primarily
related to Earthquake Engineering, Bridge
Engineering identification of low-cost construction
material. Dr. Khan is pioneer in initiating Ph.D
research program of Civil/Structural Engineering
among all public sector universities. He is the first
one to have supervised first Ph.D candidate of
Pakistan in Civil/Structural Engineering who was
awarded Ph.D degree in July 2004. Till date, he has
organized a number of international conferences,
seminars and workshops on earthquake related
issues after 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Dr. Akhtar has
authored 80 research publications and has coauthored two books. He was awarded HEC Best
Teacher Award in 2005. In recognition of his
outstanding performance in the field of teaching and research, he was conferred the award of
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. The UET Newsletter spoke to Prof. Khan to know the secret of his successful
journey! Excerpts:
What are those human traits necessary for reaching up to the highest level of academic
excellence?
I am thankful to the provincial government, my institution for conferring this award on me. First
of all, I dedicate this award to my staff, students and our alumni. I don't want to forget my
teachers who had substantially guided me throughout my academic years. That basic training
has contributed a lot in my life.
The Intellectual capability that our young faculty possesses is unmatched. The only thing is to
harness their ability so that they are individually motivated, secondly, being able to cope with
existing inertia and achieve their targets. First, and foremost, is the individual commitment with
the cause that once I have decided to be part of this University as a faculty, from that day one, I
should honor that position and look for those opportunities which can further the cause and
mandate of this University. If an individual has gone abroad on a scholarship and if he
appreciates the importance of time and picks his program of study in a manner which is
beneficial to the country and university that clear headedness will allow him abundance of time

and his intellectual resources to achieve those goals. Otherwise, if he gets distracted and gets
himself involved in other activities, in that case the timeline will extend, his energies will
decline, and naturally his motivation to come back will compromise. This kind of a situati on
should be avoided.
How these values can be transferred to the next generation? What role a curriculum plays in
personality development?
I honestly feel our curriculums are by and large very well tailored. We do have courses like
project management, engineering solutions and professional ethics in our curriculum and
through those we can harness those human traits. However, it is our conduct which loses
confidence of our youngsters. If I as an elder do something else what I say then all this
curriculum and training will become meaningless. We should understand that things may not
be rosy all th time among ourselves; between us and management, and between us and
students. There are genuine issues and sometimes things get politicized, but we need to
identify the motives. As I said earlier, if there is confidence among entities then I am sure they
can be solved amicably.
I suggest that our young faculty have a role model to play for their students. If they didn't see
this in their seniors they should appreciate and start guiding them rather than making an
excuse. I believe human conduct in terms of socializing with people through basic teachings
from our religion and society has not changed, and will never change. I am convinced that we
are a lucky university to have this all.
How do you see the future of UET and where do you see it in next five to ten years?
Future of UET is absolutely bright! I am convinced because at UET we have more than 100
Ph.D's. Even the non Ph.D's are either young lecturers or a few senior MSC's who are assets for
next five or ten years. There is a hope from this Ph.D lot that they are back and foreign
qualified. There are ample opportunities for Ph.D degree holders at UET, but their commitment
is foremost for me. If they remain steadfast and continue to stay with us and don't leave us
then why should I not be confident?
At social level, I don't see any disharmony and known fragmentation within faculty, and that is a
huge plus. Our administrative entities have also started appreciating the success in different
aspects. They are now more supportive and malleable to our research output. I wish them good
luck!