Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri (Sitara-i-Imtiaz), Director of the Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan (IAMP), based at Saidu Sharif, Swat, visited the University of Swat and held a meeting with Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin, Vice Chancellor, University of Swat. During the meeting, Prof. Olivieri congratulated the Vice Chancellor on assuming charge of the University and expressed his commitment to further strengthening academic and research collaboration between the two institutions.
The meeting, convened at the Vice Chancellor’s Office, was attended by Dr. Arshad Ali Khan, Registrar; Dr. Anwar Hussain, Director, Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC); Dr. Zarawar Khan, In-Charge, Department of Archaeology; Dr. Muhammad Imad Khan, Provost; and Dr. Hazrat Bilal, Director, Campus Administration.
The discussions focused on exploring new avenues of joint archaeological, historical, and archival research under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the University of Swat and IAMP. Key initiatives included the establishment of an Archaeo-Botanical Laboratory during November–December 2026 and the proposed scientific excavation of the Ali Beg Dherai Archaeological Mound, situated within the premises of the University of Swat.
It was agreed that IAMP would provide financial support for the proposed excavation, while the fieldwork would be conducted under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology, University of Swat, following the completion of all requisite codal and procedural formalities in 2027.
During the meeting, Prof. Olivieri also informed the participants that the first joint research publication, co-authored by Dr. Zarawar Khan and Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri on a historically significant Persian manuscript, was currently in press and scheduled for publication in the first week of December 2026. The publication is expected to mark an important milestone in the growing academic and research partnership between the two institutions.
He further highlighted that the proposed excavation at Ali Beg Dherai Archaeological Mound was expected to yield a substantial collection of faunal remains, providing a basis for the subsequent establishment of an Archaeo-Zoological Laboratory at the University of Swat. These initiatives are expected to strengthen the University’s research infrastructure and expand opportunities for interdisciplinary studies in archaeology and related fields.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated the longstanding contributions and dedicated efforts of Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri towards the promotion of archaeology, cultural heritage, and historical research in Swat. He expressed satisfaction that the collaboration between the University of Swat and IAMP would not only enrich the collections of the Uddiyana Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, University of Swat, but also create valuable opportunities for practical learning, academic research, and professional exposure for students and scholars.
Emphasizing the importance of developing specialized academic and professional skills in archaeology, the Vice Chancellor also directed the concerned departments to initiate diploma courses in various specialized disciplines, including Archaeological Excavation, Conservation, Palaeography, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Architectural Studies, and Museology. These programmes are intended to promote practical expertise and prepare students for professional roles in archaeological research, cultural heritage management, and museum studies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri presented copies of his scholarly publications to the Vice Chancellor. The visit was followed by a joint field visit to the Ali Beg Dherai Archaeological Mound, where Prof. Olivieri and Dr. Zarawar Khan jointly surveyed the site and identified and selected various areas for the proposed archaeological excavation.