Hunza 24/7

Aliabad’s Salma Khan earns PhD from University of Milan

Salma Khan from Aliabad town in the Central Hunza district has successfully completed her PhD in Philosophy and Human Sciences from the University of Milan. Her doctoral research examines climate change, glacier grafting, and the dialogue between modern scientific approaches and Indigenous knowledge systems in Gilgit-Baltistan, addressing one of the region’s most pressing challenges.

During her doctoral journey, Salma Khan collaborated with scholars and presented her research at leading academic institutions worldwide, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, the London School of Economics, and Cornell University, among others.

Her work offers a rigorous and timely perspective on the climate crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan, grounded in scientific inquiry, ethical reflection, and the lived knowledge of local communities. Beyond an academic milestone, the achievement reflects years of sustained research, discipline, and intellectual commitment.

The achievement has been widely welcomed by the community, who expressed pride in her accomplishments and optimism that her work will continue to bridge knowledge systems and contribute to meaningful, locally informed responses to climate change.

Asif Jan, a hardworking and humble scholar from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, has successfully defended his PhD in Materials Science & Engineering at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), one of Europe’s leading technical universities and ranked among the world’s top 50 universities.

His doctoral research focused on developing advanced silicon carbide ceramic membranes for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment, a breakthrough contributing to global water purification and environmental sustainability.

Professor Dr. Jan Alam from Karimabad Hunza has been promoted to BPS-21, currently serving at Hazara University.

Dr. Jan Alam has spent 24 years of his professional life in the fields of botany, plant conservation, and ethnobotany. He has a staggering 70 research papers to his name that focus on medicinal plants and traditional knowledge from the . His work, which has taken him through the mountains and meadows of the Himalayas and ranges, has helped protect valuable plant species and preserve important cultural heritage.

He has also mentored over 60 Ph.D. and M.Phil. students, inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders in Pakistan.

Dr. Jan Alam is currently working on a book in Burushaski language that will showcase the unique plants of Hunza Valley. The book will combine local knowledge, stunning images, and scientific insights, with an English translation so it can reach a global audience. This project aims to shine a light on both the conservation of these plants and the rich cultural heritage of the .