Higher education: Swat university to finally get own campus

Govt allocates 1,016 kanals for the varsity; construction to cost Rs8 billion.

SWAT:

The University of Swat, without a campus since its inception in 2010, has finally been allocated a sizable chunk of land by the government.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb made this announcement while talking to the media persons, adding that the campus will be spread over 1,016 kanals and construction will begin once the master plan is ready.

Established in 2010 after 30 years of continuous endeavours by local people, the varsity still does not even have a building of its own. Currently, the students are attending classes in hired buildings or vacant government departments. Moreover, the absence of a building has also created troubles for the administration.

Despite all these issues, the VC is hopeful to see the university develop as “the top educational institution”.

Jahanzeb regretted that the varsity’s development could not be executed as it was expected. “However, everything will be sorted out once the campus is complete and I am really grateful to the provincial and federal government for the land allocation,” he said.

According to Jahanzeb, the university has been allocated around Rs8 billion for construction, which are enough to develop the required infrastructure.

“Ever since I have been appointed, I have considered my job to be like a mission. I want this university to bring a positive change just like universities do all over the world,” he said.

Moving on, he explained that the institute plans to increase its departments once it gets a campus, adding that he also wished to establish a rehabilitation centre at the varsity for those traumatised by militancy.

“Meanwhile, we are in dire need of vacant buildings to accommodate students and start new programmes and it is my appeal to the people to help us in this regard,” said the VC.

Jahanzeb added that he is trying to develop an efficient team as running an educational institute requires team work and continuous interaction with every sector of the society.

Currently, the varsity has a total of 736 students enrolled in 12 different programmes.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2012.