The Planning Commission has decided not to slash budget allocations of PSDP projects of NWFP and Baluchistan universities. In the backdrop of recent budgetary cuts in public sector universities, the Commission has decided to facilitate these universities in every aspect. This was stated by Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, an eminent nuclear scientist of Pakistan, and currently member of Pakistan Planning Commission, during his visit to UET, Peshawar Campus.
He addressed a high level meeting, with VC UET, Engr. Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, and project directors, and said his visit was aimed to look potential areas for future research and development. Planning Commission’s vision, he said, is to ensure that all universities progress towards a single aim, i.e national development, and my visit is an evidence of the fact that the present government attaches great importance to universities and Higher Education sector.
The meeting reviewed UET's development projects, a total of Rs. 9.65 billion portfolio, that included the establishment of new Campus at Jalozai, state-of-the-art research centers including National Institute of Mechatronics, Earthquake Engineering Center, National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning, and strengthening and rehabilitation of university infrastructure.
Advisor Finance and Planning, M. Sarwar Khan, presented the current status of developmental projects. He said that all the projects were completed upto 80%, which reflected the strong commitment of Planning Department of the university. While giving statistics, he said before initiating these projects, UET had only 1700 students, but following the HEC’s main objective, i.e. to increase the access of students to universities, we have now 3500, students and after the completion of these projects, this strength would reach 8000 students.
Referring to Pakistani scholars pursuing Ph.D’s in foreign countries, he said 128 UET scholars were studying in top universities of USA, Europe, Canada, Italy and Thailand, but they were facing acute shortage of funds, and it was difficult for them to continue with their studies. Delay in release of funds, fluctuation of foreign exchange, particularly in the Human Resource Development and laboratory equipment, and cost escalation of civil works were other critical issues.
Dr. Samar Mubarakmand ensured that the Planning Commission will release funds for the HRD Component in time, so that scholars complete their studies and come back home to serve. He referred to a case of Pakistani students studying in USA who came out in streets and agitated this time. “I was stunned with this gesture, and immediately wrote a passionate note to the Deputy Chairman PC, and after lots of efforts, the government released fund amounting Rs. 3 billion to HEC to support scholars”, he added.
Establishment of Jalozai Campus, UET’s mega development project, was also reviewed in detail. Sarwar Khan informed that the project approved by ECNEC in 2007, at the cost of Rs. 6. 56 billion was aimed to develop the Jalozai Campus by establishing eight engineering departments relevant to national needs, but due to the prevailing situation, progress in this area had been slow. Dr. Samar responding to the issue, assured that the Planning Commission will leave no stone unturned to facilitate the University.
Dr. Mubarak said that he strongly believed in strengthening strengthen the existing universities and make them world class. The idea of setting up nine world-class engineering universities by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, ex-Chairman HEC, at the cost of Rs. 370 billion could not be implemented due to economic crisis, and weaknesses in project planning. Instead of this, the Planning Commission has shared alternate proposal of Rs 20 billion with the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani under which it would strengthen the existing universities and bring them to the international standards in research and development areas.
He also appreciated the UET’s linkage program with foreign universities, and urged UET to invite partner universities to collaborate with the state-of-the-art departments of UET, and declare these as their external campuses. Invite them to your campus , have them identify the gaps in existing set ups, and then develop PC-1 for the Planning Commission. We assure you that Planning Commission will facilitate you in releasing funds for development, he added. He said that European and UK universities have deep interest in getting manpower from developing countries. It should be our priority to exploit this opportunity.
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