Course Personnel

Professor: Dr. Najma Najam

Academic Qualifications:

• Obtained Master’s and Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA on a Fulbright scholarship to specialize in the Neurosciences (1975-1980).
• Post doctoral research at Vision Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens Georgia, USA 1988-89.
• Senior Fulbright Fellowship to train and conduct research work as a Neuropsychologist at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, USA 1995-96.
• As an active researcher and academic trained in the US in Psychology, Over 120 research papers published all over the world. She has made over 150 presentations at the national and international, scientific and academic conferences. Her collaborations internationally are mainly in the area of Drug Abuse, Neuropsychological and Developmental Disorders, as well as Women’s Issues.

Research Supervision:

• Supervise over 115 masters thesis research and have supervised/ (both completed and in progress) over 7 PHD students
• Over 38 years of University teaching, research (and administrative experience).
• For 28 years (1970-1998) worked at the Applied Psychology Department, Punjab University, where she was the Chairperson and Professor as well as Director, Center for Clinical Psychology from 1990-1998.
• Appointed by the President of Pakistan as member National Task Force on Reforms on Higher Education ( April 2001-Janury 2002) and the Steering Committee for Implementation of Reforms in Higher Education , (January 2002- September 2002)
• Trained with the Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment Program at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for inpatient and outpatient Assessment, Diagnosis and Rehabilitation in Pediatric and Geriatric Neuropsychology. Presentation on “Drug Abuse Research: Pakistani Perspectives, made at Center for Education on Drug Abuse research, WPIC, University of Pittsburgh. Attended Courses on “Vulnerability to Substance Abuse: Building State of the Science Prevention, Evaluation and Clinical Skills”, offered by the St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh. PA, USA.     

Administrative Experience:

• Advisor Academics, Virtual University of Pakistan.
• Most recently as Vice Chancellor Karakoram International University Gilgit Baltistan (June 2009 onwards)
• Director External Linkages, PU from Jan 2008-March 2009. Set up established relationship with universities in US, UK, Europe (European Union as well as Individual countries) Malaysia, Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand and Iran
• VC FJWU Rawalpindi 1998-2007. Initiated, planned, organized FJWU’s academic plans and systems, These courses were in line with national needs and met international standards of teaching and evaluation.
• Set up a skeletal but highly professional administrative structure, where faculty and staff were trained to utilize technology (as early as 1998) computers, internet multimedia etc.
• Training women in university management at all levels.

Membership of International Organizations/Committees:

• Member Executive, Council Association of Commonwealth Universities ( UK) 2003-to 2007), and member Audit and Risks Committee to date
• Member International Higher Education Leadership network, ( UK) 2005-date
• Member and Area Chair International Council of Psychologists, (USA), (from 2003-to date)
• Member International Society for study of Social Acceptance- Rejection ( ISIPAR)
• Member International Study on Father Love project: IFARP
• Member Anne Marie Schimmel Scholarship Foundation (UK: member BOG, Pakistan Chapter upto 2007)
• Member Third World Organization of Women in Science (Italy)
• Member, South Asian Association of Psychologists (Bangla-Desh :Currently President)
• National Organizations
• Member Committee for Development of Social Sciences and Humanities ( Higher Education Commission) Pakistan 2003-2006 ( Chairperson), 2006 and since 2006 as member
• Member, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulating Authority 2006 for three years.
• Member, Islamabad Policy Research Institute to date

Email Address:

psyp610@vu.edu.pk