MUHAMMAD ASHFAQ BOKHARI, PHD
Founding Partner
I have been committed to promote education over the period of last four decades. My commitment to this noble cause rests in ethics and a strong civic sense, which I developed through my early education at a Primary and High Schools in my native city. Though my personal circumstances prevented me from getting into college as a regular student, I completed my Higher Secondary School Certification (FSc) and undergraduate education (BA in Mathematics) through self-study. My ambition for further learning in Mathematics led me to Master program in Mathematics at Islamabad University (now Quaid e Azam University), where I received financial support on the basis of my performance in the 1st semester exams. There, my dedicated teachers including a Visiting Professor A. V. Arkhangelski, a renowned Topologist from Moscow State University, paved my way for higher education. I got my MA and PhD in Mathematics from Canadian institutions: Western University and University of Alberta.
My teaching, research and administrative instinct basically emerged from my first appointment as a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan. From here onward, I availed the opportunities to build my teaching and administrative skills at different institution namely,
Western University, Canada,
University of Alberta, Canada,
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia (KFUPM),
National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan (NUST),
Namal College, Mianwali, Pakistan (NCM)
My research is focused on Computational Mathematics and Mathematics Education. Besides my area of specialization, I am involved in teaching graduate courses like Topology, Optimization Techniques and Approximation Theory.
The academic set up at BZU was initially based on annual system of education, which later shifted to semester system. I contributed towards the smooth changeover of the system. In addition, I conducted the first ever revision of the Mathematics program and introduced Computational Mathematics stream as an option in the curriculum. The academic system at KFUPM and NUST is very much alike the US educational set up. The NCM being an affiliated college of Bradford University was operating under British system. I happened to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these systems as a team leader/member, and contributed to their improvement.
During my stay at NCM, I supervised a committee that worked for sorting out all the details that made NCM a Degree Awarding Institution. I also led a team that designed the 5-year strategic plan for the College of Sciences at KFUPM. I happened to be a part of several planning and development projects related to the academics at KFUPM and NCM. Some of these include to
Developing a new academic program (e.g. Data Science, Math adjoined with other disciplines),
Designing and conducting workshops for instructors,
Devising a program for students’ advising and counseling,
Providing Peer Consultancy in teaching and research,
Designing 2 to 5-year strategic plans,
Identifying parameters for evaluating performance of an academic department,
Bridging the gaps between high school and university education,
Devising procedures for faculty mentoring program,
Formulation of rules and regulations for university award in teaching, research and administration.
There is nothing more rewarding to me than helping students succeed in their courses. I have always had a real love for learning, and I feel most fulfilled when I get to share my love with others. This passion has guided me to leadership roles throughout my career. I have taught a variety of math courses ranging from pre-calculus to computational mathematics in BS/MS Engineering/Computer/Business Programs. I have been involved in supervising undergraduate research as well. My experiences have allowed me to develop patience, determination and enthusiasm, the three things that are really crucial when helping students at initial stage of their studies.
I succeeded in instilling in many students a respect for education, particularly in mathematics and a grasp of its fundamental principles. Because of my exposure to various tools and environments, I am comfortable using a combination of technology and traditional teaching methods to communicate mathematical concepts to students and have successfully done so over the past decades.
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I consider myself a life long learner. I have regularly attended several workshops related to teaching, research and administrative issues. I am a trained university peer consultant.The KFUPM assigned me this task every semester. I helped several faculty members in different disciplines to improve their teaching aptitude.
I have held the offices of the Chairman, Dept of Math, BZU, Pakistan and the pioneer Director of the Orientation Program at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. In addition. I have been President, Mathematical Society (Univ. of Islamabad), Graduate Representative (Univ. of Alberta), twice the President, Academic Staff Association (BZU). I worked to promote the cause of education with utmost honesty and fairness at the time of holding these offices.
I attended several conferences in different parts of the world and delivered talks on research and general education topics. During my stay in Saudi Arabia, I always planned to visit institutions every year in different parts of Pakistan during my official breaks. There I delivered lectures on the current trends in education, organized teaching and research workshops, and contributed in establishing financial support for needy students.
As a dedicated educator, I believe I can provide significant value to a university and its students.