Conferred the Akhtar Hassan Memorial Medal for the best thesis by a female student in PhD Urdu
Srinagar, October 5, 2026:
Abiroo Riyaz, a PhD scholar from Kashmir, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Urdu by the University of Hyderabad. Her doctoral research focused on “Anwar Jalapuri Ki Ilmi Wa Adabi Khidmaat”, an academic study of the scholarly and literary contributions of Anwar Jalapuri.
Riyaz was admitted to the PhD programme on August 6, 2019, under the supervision of Prof. Md. Zahidul Haque. She successfully completed the major stages of her doctoral research during 2026, including her pre-submission seminar on February 17, thesis submission on March 17, and viva voce examination on June 9. Her result was declared on July 9, 2026.
The University of Hyderabad conferred the degree upon her at its convocation held on October 1, 2026. The degree certificate identifies Riyaz as a scholar of the School of Humanities and records her PhD in Urdu.
In recognition of her academic excellence, Riyaz was also awarded the Akhtar Hassan Memorial Medal for the best thesis by a female student in PhD Urdu. The medal certificate, issued by the University of Hyderabad, states that the award was presented during the 2026 convocation.
The achievement is being viewed as a significant accomplishment for Kashmir’s academic community, particularly for students and researchers pursuing advanced studies in Urdu language, literature and cultural scholarship. Riyaz’s work on Anwar Jalapuri’s intellectual and literary legacy adds to the growing body of research on important Urdu scholars and writers.
Her success, achieved under the guidance of Prof. Md. Zahidul Haque, is expected to inspire young researchers from Jammu and Kashmir to pursue higher education and contribute to the fields of Urdu studies and the humanities.