FC College: US-funded hostel project begins

A six-storey, 360-room hostel at FC College inaugrated.

LAHORE:

USAID Mission Director Dr Andrew Sisson and US Consul General Nina Fite led the groundbreaking ceremony for a six-storey, 360-room hostel at FC College on Tuesday.

The hostel for women only will cost around Rs543.6 million and will encourage more female students to apply to the college by providing a secure, all female residence on campus, said a USAID press release. Currently, 34 per cent of the student body pursuing higher education at FCC is female. The USAID-funded hostel will help FCC reach its goal of increasing the ratio to 50 per cent.

“The United States Government is fully committed to supporting and strengthening education in Pakistan, particularly closing the gender gap in higher education,” said Dr Sisson. “Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in society.”

Rector-designate for FCC Dr James Tebbe praised the project, saying, “The new women’s hostel will further help Forman Christian College recruit nationally and provide a secure environment for female students that meets the cultural standards of Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2012.