Creative education: Chief minister to head Punjab Technology University

‘It is likely that the bill will be passed during current session’.


Ali Usman June 10, 2012

LAHORE: The Punjab Technology University (PTU), for which the government has allocated Rs1 billion in the 2012-2013 Annual Development Programme (ADP) for 2012-2013, will have its campus in Lahore. It will be permitted to open a sub-campus with the approval of its president.

A bill for the establishment of the university has been tabled in the Punjab Assembly and handed over to the relevant standing committee for its comments. The bill (a copy is available to The Express Tribune) says that the chief minister will be the president of the university. The jurisdiction of the University will extend to the entire province.

The university will focus on creative design in engineering systems and promote research in technology. The Statement of Objects and Reasons for Establishment of PTU reads, “There is no technology university in the entire province. There is a dire need to produce graduates who will use innovation in engineering to respond to human and societal needs, infuse creative design in engineering systems and harness the creation of value through entrepreneurial efforts. There is also a need to expand the base of engineering knowledge through original research and developing technology to best serve the needs of society. The University will be dedicated to discovery and development of the most effective education approaches and will aspire to serve as a model for the entire country.”

The bill states that the university will be a “body corporate” with power to “acquire, hold and dispose of property.” The university will also prescribe its courses of studies before it starts functioning.

The bill states that the University will decide its own teaching methods and strategies to “ensure the most effective educational and training programmes.” The university will create a post for research, extension, administration, the bill added.

According to the bill, the university will have the liberty to institute programmes for the exchange of students and teachers between PTU and any other universities, educational institutions or research organisations.  It may also develop and implement its own fund-raising plans.

The power to order inspections and inquiries has been given to the president, the bill says. “The President may direct inspection or inquiry into the affairs of the University. The President shall convey the views with regard to the result of the inspection or inquiry to the Board.”

“The President will constitute a search committee consisting of not less than three and not more than five members for a term of two years when looking to appoint a vice chancellor. The committee will make recommendations for the appointment of the vice chancellor.”

The vice chancellor will be appointed for four years. “The incumbent vice chancellor shall not be allowed any extension in his tenure but subject to eligibility he may again compete for the post of the vice chancellor,” the bill reads.

An official at the Higher Education Department (HED) told the Tribune that the post of chancellor had been replaced with that of president in the PTU. He said that a Punjab Assembly standing committee will give its input on the bill after which the Act of the University will be passed. “It is likely that in the current session the bill will be passed,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2012.

COMMENTS (6)

shahji | 11 years ago | Reply

any body know about website of "PTU"

sam | 11 years ago | Reply

PTU is one of the nest university for technical education in Punjab State and i would like to get admission in it that's for sure :)

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