SHIKARPUR: Chartered Inspection & Evaluation Committee of Higher Education Commission (HEC) [Sindh] visited the Shikarpur Campus of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Khairpur regarding the upgradation of its status to a full-fledged university, on Friday.
The committee was headed by its chairman Prof Dr Abdul Qadeer, Prof Dr Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, Prof Dr Mujeeb-ud-Din Sehrai and Prof Aziz Fatima. Prof Dr Abdul Qadeer said that Shikarpur remained a key avenue for business activities and its culture was also famous worldwide. He said the up gradation of the university campus will be the source of revival for education in Shikarpur. He said the recommendations for the upgradation of Shikarpur Campus to a full university will be discussed in the next meeting of Higher Education Commission Sindh, Sindh Cabinet and provincial assembly. Dr Qadeer appreciated the efforts of Shah Abdul Latif University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Parveen Shah for the promotion of education, research, development and innovation. Dr Parveen Shah cordially welcomed the inspection committee and said that despite severe financial crunch, they were committed to provide quality education at the university’s every campus. Dr Parveen Shah commended the efforts of member provincial assembly (MPA) Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on account of his moral support for the upgradation of the university’s campus to a full-fledged university and also lauded the efforts of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for the cause of education. Shikarpur Campus Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Lutfullah Mangi briefed the committee about the available physical infrastructure and other allied facilities at the campus. He said that 53 acres of land had been purchased for establishment of the campus. During the Annual Development Program (ADP) 2015-16, Rs 25 Million had been earmarked by the Sindh government for purchase of land, while in the ADP 2016-17, a proposal for Rs 137.8 million had been submitted. MPA Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh told the Shikarpur campus administration that a separate PC-I for university campus’ upgradation may be submitted. During his visit, he announced Rs 1 million for the purchase of books and to donate 50 new computers for the campus. He also suggested that proposal of special grant of Rs 200 Million may be prepared and submitted for the recurring expenditures of the campus.
Published in Daily Times, November 18th 2017.