CM approves establishment of engineering institute in Thar

Rs1.5 billion allocated to construct state-of-the-art varsity in Mithi

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali has approved the establishment of a state-of-the-art Thar Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (TIEST) over an area of 317 acres in Mithi at an initial cost of Rs1.5 billion. More funds will be made available, if and when required.

The CM also directed NED University's vice chancellor to commence classes from October 2019 temporarily in the  building of Benazir Cultural Complex, Mithi, for which he approved the release of Rs120 million immediately.

CM Shah took the decision on Thursday while presiding over a meeting to discuss the establishment of TIEST at Mithi. The meeting was attended by Board of Revenue Senior Member Shams Soomro, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, Universities and Boards Secretary Riazuddin Qureshi, Finance Secretary Najam Shah, NED University VC Prof Dr Sarosh Lodhi, Culture Secretary Parvez Sihar, Tharparkar DC Shahzad Thahim and other relevant officers.

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NED VC Dr Lodhi, briefing the chief minister, said that the varsity's academic council has approved 60 seats for TIEST, Mithi, including 46 regular and 14 on self-finance basis. The allocation of the seats for TIEST would be five for HSC Karachi board, eight for Hyderabad board, 18 for Mirpurkhas board, four for Larkana board, two for federal board, two for Aga Khan Board, one for A-level and one from other boards.

In the undergraduate programme, two self-finance seats have been allocated for Karachi board, two for Hyderabad, three for Mirpurkhas, two for Sukkur, two for Larkana, one for federal board, one for Aga Khan Board and one for A-levels.

Faculty and staff

Speaking about the faculty and support staff of TIEST, Dr Lodhi said there would be 19 posts, including one principal of grade 21, one for professor of grade BS-21, two associate professors of grade 20, four assistant professors, three lecturers, one IT Manager, two data entry operators, two lab technicians and three naib qasids. Apart from them, there would be 44 administration and supporting staff, including the deputy registrar.

Soomro told the chief minister that the university had demanded 317 acres of land, which had been identified at village Mithrio Bhatti on main Islamkot Road. The land has been measured at 325 acres. It is located between Mithi and Islamkot at a distance of 18 kilometers from Mithi and 22 kilometers from Islamkot.

The VC said that apart from university, there would be an industrial park built on the land. The areas would be utilised for admin block, faculties, laboratories, workshops, residential colonies and parks. The CM directed Soomro to move a summary for the allotment of the land.

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An industrial hub

Shah said that after 20 years, more than 20 megawatts of electricity would be produced from Thar coal and the area would be a hub of investment, trade and industry. "This institution will flourish and I want to make it a seat excellence on the sand dunes of Thar," he said.

The finance secretary said that the CM had approved Rs850 million for TIEST, out of which Rs100 million have been allocated for te current financial year. At this, the chief minister said that the NED university was going to start classes from October, therefore the funds would be insufficient for establishing a lab and purchasing other equipment.

The CM directed the finance department to release Rs120 million immediately and approved the enhancement of the allocation from Rs850 million to Rs1.5b.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.