Nigar Nazar (Graduate of 1969)
As an alumna, I am honored to have been associated with an institution that has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I attribute my success as the first female cartoonist in Pakistan and the Muslim world to the strong academic foundation. This institute has provided me with a nurturing environment that encouraged me to explore my creative potential.
I am proud to say that I have earned many distinctions for my contributions to the field of art, including the Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Award and being chosen by the BBC as one of the “100 Global Women Who Had Made a Difference.” I am also the founder of Gogi Studios, which has been involved in various national and international campaigns for creating awareness about social issues since the 1990s.
I have tried to address and aware general public about social issues in the most humorous way such as women’s empowerment, human rights, child safety, health and hygiene, corruption, interfaith harmony, extremism, girls’ education, and natural disasters. As I believe that a message conveyed in humorous way can be absorbed by the masses effectively.
I have worked as an author, illustrator, and concept artist for many renowned organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), among others.
As an alumna, I am proud to see how RWU continues to make significant contributions to society by educating and empowering the next generation of women leaders. I wish RWU all the best.
Naela Chohan (Special Secretary, Foreign Affairs (Retd.) / Former High Commissioner)
What I am today is because of this great institution and the wonderful teachers I had at that time. Our principal at that time was Dr. Siddiqi and then Mrs. A. Shafiq-Ur- Rahman. I had the privilege to be taught by legendary teachers like Ms. Jahan Ara Malik (Geography), Ms. Munaza, and Ms. Roshan (Physics). Whenever I go back in past the memories of this beautiful place and beautiful environment come to my mind which gives me so much satisfaction. I take pride and at the same time feel that Allah has given me the opportunity, to get my education from this prestigious institution. Whatever, I have gained in life owes its credit to this Institute and I as Alumni would always be the face of the Institute guiding women to excel and achieve success and not shy away from striving for higher echelons of professional and personal success in life. With great love and joy for my alma mater, I wish all alumni and current students of this great Institute to raise the name of the institute further higher to new glories of the past. I wish you, all the very best in life!!
Dr. Sara Qaisar (BSc 1979)
Armed with the sound concepts acquired here, I stood first in Masters in Chemistry at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and joined a semi-government research organization in 1982. Alongside official commitments, completed my doctorate from the same university, in 2013. I carried out most of the research in UK, at the School of Materials, Manchester University, focusing on the indigenous development and characterization of piezoelectric materials. In 2015, took charge of the Nano Science and Technology Department at National Centre for Physics and steered research in the field of Nano Science to address national needs like energy and pollution. I am the recipient of Pride of Performance in recognition of the meritorious services she rendered.
Mehbooba Razzaq (BA with Urdu Literature (1982))
My alma mater played a significant role in my development. Got selected as Editor in Chief for College Magazine Rawalpindi Chronicle in 1980-81. Served as President Student Union 1982. Was awarded as Distinguished Student in 1981-82. Won first Prize in extempore Urdu Story Writing 1981. Remained in college’s role of honor throughout four years. Won Prestigious Chevening Scholarship in 1996-97 and was awarded Charllace Wallace Scholarship in 2001, studied in University of London as associate research fellow. I did my Masters from University of Manchester. Got 25th position in CSS exam in 1988 and got retired from Service in Grade 21 Alhamdolilah.
My Fond Memories
Prof. Dr. Iffat Rohail
(1985-87) MSc. Psychology
As a young girl in my early twenties, I happened to be part of an institute, which gives a solid foundation upon which I built my career (today). Post Graduate Govt. College for Women Rawalpindi was that institute and I was in the second batch (1985-87) of MSc. Psychology. How passionate I was to study Psychology and how much I aspired to be a Psychologist, I never knew at the time of admission that I would gain a real satisfaction by achieving my true potential from this college.
Nearly four decades have gone and now this institute grew into a Rawalpindi Women University (RWP) and I excelled in the field of Psychology as a PhD & Professor in another University and practicing Clinical Psychologist. My profession which I owe to RWU, now multiplied into innumerable students over past 20 years and countless clients whom I have provided clinical services in all these years and trained quite a number of MS students with clinical internship.
There are so many fond memories of my stay at RWU that it may end up in a lengthy book but I will try to be brief as Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit”.
We were 13 students in the class with five permanent teachers. Mrs. Mushtaq was head of the department and Ms. Shahnaz, Mrs. Kiani, Mrs. Badr and Ms. Sobia taught us. Some other visiting faculty also took our some courses.
Psychology department and even at the very infancy stage of the department, it was rich in Library, Testing lab and Experimental lab. I now feel that I was so lucky to be part of such an institute, which provided best facilities a student could enjoy. With all the meagre resources, students were exposed to conferences and field trips, educational as well as excursion. Learning and fun never ended in those days.
After nearly 38 years when I visited RWU on an invitation by Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, VC RWU, I was so amazed to see a large building with the tag of Psychology. Some old and new memories are shared in these photographs.
Saria Tariq (Graduate of Batch 2010-2012 and M.Phil. of Batch 2014-2016)
With a humble beginning, making it to the prestigious Civil Service of Pakistan is the achievement I veritably owe to my alma mater, the home to transformation. Civil Service is one of the most coveted and aspired career choices for many among the youth. For me, the road to this end was not a straight one, but with a sense of purpose and commitment, I did not allow the obstacles to digress me off my dreams and give up on them. Though landing at this Institute as a literature student (having graduated in sciences) appeared as the ready (if not sole) choice available to me then, soon it became clear the decision was the stroke of luck I so desperately needed for the breakthroughs I cherish to this day. Studying at this Institute for last 4 years acquainted me with the world I truly belonged to – a truly life changing experience in real sense of the term. Having been unable to secure admission in Medical Schools despite wasting year after year created a feeling of anguish and worthlessness that was no easy to dispel.
