RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): Zoonish Aziz, a lecturer in Psychology at the University of AJK, has successfully defended her PhD dissertation to become the first academician from AJK’s Universities to earn a PhD in Psychology.
Hailing from Rawalakot, Poonch in Azad Kashmir, Ms. Zoonish Aziz’s achievement is a proud moment for her family and the region.
She is the daughter of Sardar Muhammad Aziz Khan, owner of Zaman Bus Service, and niece of Sardar Muhammad Naseem Khan, former MPA Punjab Assembly, Mayor Rawalpindi and President PML-N Rawalpindi.
Zoonish is also the sister of Imran Aziz, President Business Forum AJK & GB, and CEO of Faaz Group of Companies, and Sardar Farhan Aziz, CEO of Aspire Property Investment & Development, London, UK.
Ms. Zoonish Aziz is the wife of Zeeshan Hayat, an officer in the Wildlife and Fisheries Department AJK.
Her PhD research focused on the relationship between mental health literacy and mental health psychological well-being of Pakistani university students, conducting a pioneering cross-cultural study across the four provinces of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
Notably, this study is the first of its kind in Pakistan to explore this topic from a cross-cultural perspective, marking a significant contribution to the field.
Institute of Psychology
Under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sajida Naz from the Psychology Department at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Ms. Zoonish Aziz completed her research, which was evaluated by distinguished Professor Dr. Jamil A. Malik from the Institute of Psychology at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, as the external examiner.
Ms. Zoonish Aziz also served as a lecturer Psychology at COMSATS University.
Her research has been widely acclaimed for its relevance and significance, and she has published dozens of research papers in national and international journals.
The academic community in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has hailed Ms. Zoonish Aziz’s achievement, congratulating her on this milestone.
Her success is expected to inspire young researchers and academicians in the region to pursue their goals with determination and perseverance.
