Education projects: Narowal to have UET sub-campus

CDWP approves establishment of seerat chairs and funds for Rawalakot varsity

ISLAMABAD:

The government has approved the establishment of a sub-campus for the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore in Narowal at a cost of Rs2.8 billion.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Tuesday approved three projects of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), revealed a press release. The other two projects are the establishment of seerat chairs at varsities and strengthening the University of Poonch, Rawalakot.



CDWP approved Rs2,899.423 million for the UET Narowal sub-campus. Major components of the project include civil works, procurement of teaching laboratory equipment, ICT infrastructure, furniture, transport and books, besides a master plan of the sub-campus.

The sub-campus was temporarily established in a block of the Islamia College, Narowal, in September 2012. It comprised departments of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. The new disciplines proposed to be added to the sub-campus include computer science, and business administration and management.

The Punjab government has already provided 200 acres for the sub-campus. In addition to academic departments, three hostels --- one each for boys, girls and faculty --- will also be established. Initially, the campus will offer bachelor’s programmes and will introduce postgraduate programmes in future.

CDWP also approved establishment of seerat chairs at seven public sector universities: University of Sindh, Jamshoro; University of Balochistan, Quetta; Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan; Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan; Lahore College for Women University, Lahore; Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad; and International Islamic University, Islamabad.



The proposed chairs will conduct research on the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The focus of their research will be on the issues of leadership and governance, inter-religious and communal harmony, human rights and justice, business and commerce, education and knowledge, sustainable development, and social justice and welfare. The government will provide an endowment fund of Rs20 million to each chair and also pay for the operational costs for the initial two years.

The body also approved a project titled “Strengthening of the University of Poonch, Rawlakot”. The university’s capacity will be increased to accommodate 6,000 students, 260 faculty members and 230 non-teaching staff.

Its faculty of agriculture will be shifted to a new campus in Chotta Gala, which is under construction. Faculties of Basic and Applied Sciences, Arts, Management Sciences, and Engineering and Technology will be shifted to another campus in Trar, while faculties of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences will stay in the existing campus.

The project will focus on faculty development, strengthening IT infrastructure, provision of teaching and research laboratories, teaching aids, construction of academic blocks, a hostel for 200 female students, an administration block and central library in addition to provision of furniture, books, and transport.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2014.