ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (ABC): TMUC Higher Education Group celebrated its Class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, bringing together national dignitaries, senior British university officials, international education partners, faculty members, parents and graduates.
Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Dr Faisal Mushtaq (TI), Founder and CEO of TMUC Higher Education Group, hosted the event.
The gathering also included former AJK President Sardar Masood Khan, President of CLAS, and James Hampson, Country Director of the British Council Pakistan, alongside prominent national and international academic leaders.
TMUC marks 10 years of partnership with UK university
A major highlight of the ceremony was the participation of Professor Anthony Woodman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, who travelled from London to Islamabad to deliver the keynote address and visit TMUC campuses.
His visit coincided with the completion of 10 years of academic partnership between TMUC and the University of Hertfordshire. The collaboration focuses on internationally recognised British higher education, academic excellence, graduate employability and global learning opportunities for Pakistani students.
Addressing the graduating class, Professor Woodman congratulated students on their academic achievements and highlighted the importance of employability, ambition, adaptability and a global outlook in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven world.
He emphasised that higher education must remain closely connected with industry, innovation and emerging professional opportunities. He also encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, critical thinking, creativity and leadership.
Reflecting on the decade-long partnership, Professor Woodman reaffirmed the shared commitment of the University of Hertfordshire and TMUC to preparing internationally competent and professionally equipped graduates.
His visit to TMUC campuses also provided opportunities to strengthen institutional engagement and explore further academic collaboration.
University for the Creative Arts marks eight-year collaboration
The ceremony also welcomed Professor Lyndsay Duthie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Partnerships and Industry Engagement at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), United Kingdom.
She was accompanied by Catherine Riley, Assistant Director of International Partnerships at UCA. Both officials travelled from London to attend the graduation ceremony.
Their participation marked eight years of academic partnership between TMUC and the University for the Creative Arts. The collaboration focuses on creativity, design, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry-oriented education.
The presence of senior leadership from both British universities highlighted TMUC’s continuing efforts to strengthen Pakistan-UK academic cooperation and expand access to internationally connected higher education.
Graduate employability and creativity take centre stage
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Dr Faisal Mushtaq congratulated the Class of 2026 and acknowledged the contributions of parents, faculty members and international academic partners.
He described graduation as the beginning of a new journey of responsibility and lifelong learning. He stressed that universities must prepare students not only to earn qualifications but also to make meaningful contributions to society and the global economy.
“A university’s greatest ranking is not in a magazine, but in the employability of its graduates,” Dr Mushtaq said.
Highlighting the growing influence of artificial intelligence on education and employment, he added, “In an age of Artificial Intelligence, creativity is not a soft skill; it is the ultimate human skill.”
He encouraged graduates to remain intellectually curious, professionally adaptable and entrepreneurial while developing the confidence to create opportunities rather than simply wait for them.
Chief guest President Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan congratulated the graduates and highlighted the importance of education in developing responsible leadership, active citizenship and a commitment to public service.
The ceremony was also attended by Zeyad Ahmed, Senior Business Manager at NCC Education; Waqar Shah, Deputy General Manager at Pearson Pakistan; and Saad Wasim, Regional Advisor for South Asia at the University of London.
The participation of former AJK President Sardar Masood Khan and British Council Pakistan Country Director James Hampson further highlighted the importance of international educational cooperation and institutional partnerships.
Graduates recognised across multiple disciplines
The ceremony recognised graduates from TMUC’s Schools of Education, Creative Arts, Computing, Business and Social Sciences, Foundations and Laws.
These academic pathways are offered through collaborations with the University of Hertfordshire, University of London, University for the Creative Arts, Pearson and NCC Education in the United Kingdom.
Building on the 40-year educational legacy of The Millennium Education Group, TMUC continues to promote transnational higher education in Pakistan through internationally recognised qualifications, academic innovation and industry engagement.
The institution also places emphasis on graduate employability and preparing students for changing professional requirements.
Its decade-long partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and eight-year collaboration with the University for the Creative Arts represent significant milestones in its international academic engagement.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative mementos to distinguished guests, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony and reception.
The event reaffirmed TMUC’s commitment to preparing graduates with the knowledge, creativity, technical skills and leadership capabilities needed to pursue professional opportunities in Pakistan and internationally.
