Sargodha: (Parliament Times) The Planning Commission has approved a major development project worth Rs.1540 million for strengthening University of Sargodha’s main campus and sub-campuses at Bhakkar and Mianwali. The decision was made in the CDWP meeting, chaired by Mr Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, held at the Ministry of Planning, Reforms and Development, Islamabad, on Monday, 4th December. Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad defended the project before the august forum. Out of total amount, Rs.850 million are allocated for developing the main campus, and Rs.320 million each for the two sub-campuses; and the remaining Rs.50 million is allocated for projects execution and consultancy services, etc. University of Sargodha has received such a major federal grant sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) after a gap of 10 years – an outcome of the earnest efforts being made by the current university administration to enhance its teaching and research profile, knowledge sharing capacity and academic linkages.
At the main campus, key development projects include the expansion of the Language Departments to include the discipline of China Studies; training Mass Communication students and media professionals in multimedia production techniques; expansion of agricultural research at College of Agriculture by strengthening of post-graduate labs; cconstruction of state-of-the-art multipurpose academic structure; and expansion of Central Research Labs facilities. At Bhakkar and Mianwali sub-campuses, development projects include the extension of academic blocks, strengthening of Science and Computer Labs; construction of girls hostels; and provision of student transport and staff residential facilities.All the development projects will be completed in the next three years, i.e. 2021. “Together, these projects complement our strategic plan to take University of Sargodha to the next level of academic excellence, especially in its comparatively stronger fields of agriculture, languages, media studies and basic sciences,” said Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad. The Vice Chancellor also thanked the entire team of university professionals and senior faculty, especially Mr Shafiullah Marwat, Director Planning and Development, for preparing the PC-1 and following it up at the HEC and Planning Commission before its final approval.
