Karakoram International University

The University was established in 2002 by a charter from the federal government on the orders of General Pervez Musharraf, then President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The University is situated against a dramatic backdrop of steep mountains at the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers. The main campus of the university is in Gilgit, the central town of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gilgit has an airport, providing daily flights to Islamabad, punctuated by adverse weather conditions. The famous Karakoram Highway (KKH) connects Pakistan with China, passing through Gilgit. An offshoot of the KKH connects Gilgit with Skardu (Baltistan). Gilgit gets very hot in June and July, whereas it is severely cold in December and January. However, travel by road and by air continues throughout the year. The campus, situated on University Road, is easily accessible from the airport and the bus station. Taxis are found all around the town and are a convenient method of transport.

At present, the university has four faculties: Faculty of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Faculty of Social Sciences. Under these faculties, various undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs are offered, and talented graduates are produced, who after completion of their education, serve in Gilgit-Baltistan in particular and across the country at large.

Karakoram International University is situated amidst a heavenly setting of hills, mountains, glaciers, meadows, fruit orchards, streams, rivers, and snow-covered peaks. Not many places can boast of such a beautiful setting. Thousands upon thousands have visited the mountains of the north. So, why not be a part of such an exciting environment?

Department of Chemistry

The Faculty of Life Sciences has six teaching departments: the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Plant Sciences, the Department of Animal Sciences, the Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, the Department of Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management. The faculty is headed by the Dean Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed, who supervises and coordinates the academic activities of the faculty.

The Department of Chemistry, Karakoram International University is well equipped to contribute to the same spirit on various aspects of chemistry. It has a young, energetic and competent faculty, and suitable infrastructure. Chemistry is a powerful springboard to launch you into a fascinating career. Chemistry courses combine general education with preparation for immediate employment. A person with a bachelor’s level education in chemistry is prepared to assume a wide variety of positions in industry, government, and academia. The Department of Chemistry is determined to provide a high standard of chemistry education and to be at the forefront of postgraduate teaching and research. The research interests of the academic staff are wide and varied. The key areas of research are Natural Product Chemistry, Biotransformation, Nanochemistry, Computational Chemistry, and Chemical Analysis.

We have incentives to attract outstanding students and scholars in different academic and research programs by offering a scholarship for at least 18 deserving students every year to meet the academic expenses through the Connecting Pakistani and American Communities Scholarship Program (CPAC) in the coordination of Prof. David Smith, USA.