Bahawalpur’s Islamia University gets hefty boost of Rs3.36b

BAHAWALPUR: The syndicate of Islamia University, Bahawalpur approved a massive sum of Rs3.36 billion as budget for the fiscal year 2017-18.

The budget was approved during the meeting of the syndicate members which was chaired by varsity’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Qaiser Mushtaq at Abbasia Campus. On the occasion, the participants lauded Rs198 million decrease in fiscal deficit during the last two years. The university had Rs343 million deficit in 2015-16 which was decreased to Rs217 million in 2016-17. During the current financial year, the deficit was further reduced to Rs145 million.



The budget deficit will be met through financial management, austerity measures and grants received from the federal and provincial governments.



The members approved Rs1,908 million allocation for developmental works which was Rs675 million in 2015-16 and Rs965 million in 2016-17.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Islamia University Vice-Chancellor Dr Qaiser Mushtaq said, “The university is experiencing a new era of progress and development since the last two years as priorities have been redefined with excellence in education on top of the development strategy.”

He added, “The academic excellence is combined with national goals and the students are trained in a way that would help them in becoming successful professionals, leaders and service providers in future.” He maintained that certain basic parameters, which indicate the performance of a university, improved tremendously since December 2014 when the present administration assumed the responsibilities and introduced agenda of reforms in administrative, academic and fiscal sectors.

“Our strategy is to focus on quality of human capital and productive research based on four priority areas academic excellence, financial discipline, infrastructural development and research benefiting people and the country,” the VC said.

'Allocate more money for higher education'

He elaborated the university improved tremendously in HEC ranking as it jumped to 11th position from 52nd position only in one year. “Similarly, Islamia University is on 6th position among 21 universities of Punjab in research grants,” Qaiser Mushtaq remarked.



Meanwhile, University’s Personal Relations Officer Shehzad Ahmed told The Express Tribune, “The increase in development funds depicts the fast paced and extraordinary progress of the university during the last couple of years.” He added, “This is the highest budget that is approved in the history of Islamia University.”

He maintained, “The syndicate also approved recommendation of the selection board to appoint two professors, two associate professors, 120 assistant professors and four lecturers. Besides, selection of two medical officers is also on the cards.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2017.