K & P

Campus facilities: Rs1b doled out for new academic block at GIKI

CM to announce construction of new hostel at institute next year

Our Correspondent April 07, 2016

K-P CM addressing the inaugural ceremony of Industrial Open House and Career Fair at GIKI Swabi. PHOTO: ONLINE

SWABI: The provincial government will provide Rs1 billion for the construction of a new academic block at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) in Swabi.

This was stated in a handout issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday. He was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day careers fair at the institute. Representatives from around 50 multinational and national companies attended the event.

During his visit, Khattak inaugurated a new hostel at GIKI that has been constructed at the cost of Rs277.8 million. Funds for the initiatives were provided by the provincial government. “When [the CM] visits GIKI next year, he will announce the construction of a new hostel at the institute,” the statement read.

Culture of research

Khattak drew attention to the importance of fostering a culture of research and innovation.

“Economic prosperity and progress is not possible without research and breakthroughs in science and technology,” the handout quoted him as saying. “It is the need of the hour to pursue result-oriented research. This will make Pakistan economically prosperous and politically stable.”

The CM examined projects that were put on display by final-year students. He said the new generation will set the course for the future of Pakistan.

“The projects [I have seen today] bear testimony to a bright and safe future for our country,” the document cited Khattak as saying. “Such projects are an outcome of continuous learning and hard work.”

Road to progress

Society for the Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST) President Shamsul Mulk said GIKI has trained students to meet a host of challenges and play their role in promoting development.

GIKI Rector Jehangir Bashar thanked the provincial government for supporting the institute through all its endeavours.

“The GIKI has facilities for only about 1,800 students,” the handout quoted Bashar as saying. “We must add to the infrastructure so that students can obtain more benefits. We require another academic block, a girls and a boys hostel.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2016.