KHYBER AGENCY: A new four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program was inaugurated at the Government Degree Boys College Landi Kotal on Saturday. According to Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) education department, the degree program would be offered initially in two subjects, Urdu and Chemistry. To mark the occasion, an event was organized at the college. The attendees included: FATA Education Director Hashim Khan Afridi as chief guest, Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi, political workers, tribal elders and a large numbers of students. Speaking at the event, Hashim Khan Afridi said that the newly introduced BS degree aimed to make Pakistani graduate degrees recognized internationally. “With the implementation of the BS education system, the poor students would also be able to get advanced education at nominal fees, Rs 6500 per semester”, Afridi remarked. The education director said that the new education structure had been initiated in 18 of FATA’s 35 educational institutes and would be extended to other educational institutes across the tribal belt in the near future. Discussing the positive aspects of the program, Hashim Khan said that female students would also be able to enrol in previously male-only colleges. Khan also clarified that the new BS degree would be mandatory from 2018 onwards. Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi declared the introduction of BS degree a good omen highlighting the need to ensure smooth functioning of the new system by providing it with all the necessities. He said that the BS degree should not be limited to two subjects and asked for more subjects to be introduced. The senator also assured a swift resolution of problems long faced by the college, including a lack of potable water and electricity shortages. College Principal Dr. Aslam Taseer had earlier apprised the guests of the problems faced by the institution. Published in Daily Times, October 8th 2017.