Mian Rashid Asghar
Sargodha: The High Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) issued administrative approval of development project worth Rs.1540 million for strengthening University of Sargodha, (UOS).
Director General (DG) Planning and Development (P&D), HEC issued an approval letter which reads that: “I am directed to convey the administrative approval of the CDWP to the execution of the subject scheme at capital cost of Rs. 1540.086 million with FEC Rs. 87.610 million. The execution period of the scheme is 36 months”.
Out of the total approved amount of the project, Rs.850 million are allocated for developing the main campus, and Rs.320 million each for the two sub campuses at Bhakkar and Mianwali and the remaining Rs.50 million is allocated for projects execution and consultancy services, etc.
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; construction 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.
“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, vice chancellor university of Sargodha.
Institutional strengthening within the university especially the Directorate of Planning has been established, which is following the projects, the vice chancellor added.
The decision to approve this major development project was made earlier on 4th December 2017, during the CDWP meeting, chaired by Mr Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, at the Ministry of Planning, Reforms and Development, Islamabad.
It may be added here that the 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.
