Overseas PhD Scholar of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mr. Zardad Khan, successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled 'Ensemble of Selected Trees for classification and regression' at University of Essex, UK, which is counted among the finest universities of the world. His thesis was supervised by Prof. Berthold Lausen and Dr Aris Perperoglou. His external examiner was Prof. Hans Kestler, a well-known scientist from Germany, while his internal examiner was
Dr. Hongsheng Dai (PhD from University of Oxford, UK).

Mr. Zardad Khan was awarded overseas PhD scholarship, on May 23, 2011, by AWKUM for University of Essex, UK, in the subject area of Statistics. His PhD course started in 2011 and in less than 3.5 years he has been able to complete his PhD under the umbrella of Faculty Development Programme.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ali, Dean Faculty of Sciences, Registrar, Chairman Department of Mathematics and all the administrative officers of the University congratulated Mr. Zardad Khan on his remarkable accomplishment.

On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ali reiterated that the investment the University has been doing in its faculty since 2011 has started to bear fruits. He added that this is a proud achievement for the University to have produced its 2ndoverseas PhD. He further added that 12overseas PhD scholars of the University, studying in reputed universities of the world, will also complete their PhDs and returnby the end of 2015. He also said that upon the successful return of the scholars, the University faculty will further strengthen thus the mission to provide quality education at door step will continue in the best way.