The first comprehensive envisioned document titled “Future Plan of the University of Baltistan Skardu” is a comprehensive university strategic plan that was endorsed by the statutory bodies as well. The Future Plan has four bullet points related to Heritage Studies and Archaeology. The top one was: Institute of Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Buddhism, Bon tradition, and Islam with museum. Other envisioned points are: Establishment of ‘Kesar Cultural Center’ for Heritage Studies; Establishment of an International Center for Study and Preservation of Balti and other local languages; Establishment of an Area Study Center for Tibetan Studies (Tibet, Ladakh & Little Tibet). Based on this Future Plan, the university continued its deliberations to implement these initiatives. Baltistan shares a deep cultural lineage with Tibet and Ladakh. The region’s archaeological rock carvings, inscriptions, architecture, and artifacts depict the great civilizations of the Bon tradition, Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and also provide evidence of other religious traditions such as Jainism, Christianity, and Judaism. Together, these features make this part of the world an open museum of civilizations. The University of Baltistan, realizing its role as a key guardian and custodian of this heritage, has been engaged in deliberations to establish a formal institute or department. As a result of the efforts of the worthy Vice Chancellor and the first Director of External Linkages, Dr. Zakir Hussain Zakir, Boston Architectural College (USA) was ready to submit a joint project on heritage conservation to the US Embassy for funding. The proposal was jointly developed, and after a lengthy process of evaluation, it was approved. Following the project approval, the Office of the Director Academics placed the agenda for the establishment of the “Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies” before the 5th Academic Council, and it was approved. For the establishment of this department, resources for a major part of human resource development, learning materials, curriculum development, library, digital archives, and an archaeological laboratory would be available from the project. As per the agreement with the partners, the university developed an international standard curriculum for BS Archaeology and Heritage Studies in collaboration with experts from Boston Architectural College (USA). With this curriculum, which is aligned with the HEC guidelines, the BS program in Archaeology and Heritage Studies has been started. The process of developing the vision, mission, objectives of the department, program objectives, and learning outcomes has been finalized. The selection of courses, with a bifurcation into ‘Archaeology’ and ‘Heritage Studies’ tracks from the third year, has been agreed upon. For practical learning, an Archaeology Field School is being established in Shigar, and the development of Digital Archives is in progress.