Every Hero Retires and Leaves Beautiful Remembrances: The Graceful Farewell of Prof. Naveed Akhtar

16 September 2024

Certain individuals leave behind a legacy of scholarship and a profound impact on the communities they serve. Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar, whose distinguished career spans over three decades in academia as a teacher, researcher, and academic leader, is one such figure. His graceful retirement leaves a lasting impression as he completes his services at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB).

Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar's journey from a young student at Govt. Abbasia High School to one of the nation's foremost experts in pharmaceutical sciences is a testament to his dedication, intellect, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His academic foundation was laid with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Punjab in 1989, followed by an MPhil in Pharmaceutics in 1991. However, his real foray into specialized pharmaceutical research came after completing his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Technology from Anadolu University, Turkey, in 2001.

Upon his return to Pakistan, Prof. Akhtar established the country's first pharmaceutical cosmetics laboratory, an unprecedented achievement that set new standards for research and development in the field. His pioneering work in pharmaceutical cosmetics became exemplary in Pakistan, fostering innovation and positioning the IUB as an important contributor to international research. His legacy is enshrined in the 35 Ph.D. and over 100 MPhil scholars he supervised, along with nearly 300 research articles and six books, each a new milestone in pharmaceutical sciences and cosmeceuticals.

As his former colleague and close associate, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, so aptly reflected, "Prof. Naveed Akhtar's contributions are immeasurable. He was elevated to the rank of Professor during my tenure as Vice Chancellor of IUB in 2011, and I always believed he would one day lead the university with distinction." Mukhtar's sentiment captures the admiration and respect for Prof. Akhtar's leadership, vision, and ethical approach to academia.

For those who have worked with him, such as Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, the memory of Prof. Akhtar's tenure will remain a source of inspiration. His retirement may mark the end of his formal career, but the indelible impact of his work will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of scholars, researchers, and academic leaders. In academia, as in life, every hero must retire, but they always leave behind beautiful remembrances, and Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar's are as enduring as they are extraordinary.