Pakistan: Quality education to be provided in AJK under HEC standards

Pakistan/February 20, 2018/Source: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk

Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has said that providing quality higher education at the doorstep of students will be made a reality with the rigorous assurance that HEC standards are met.

The president said this while chaired a meeting held to discuss the modalities and procedural formalities for establishing the Neelum-Jhelum sub-campus of the AJK University. He said, “Our universities will be made competitive and graduating students will be provided education in line with international standards.” The president, who is also the chancellor of AJK public sector universities, asserted the need to provide quality higher educational facilities to the people of Azad Kashmir. He said that the government was committed to establishing tertiary level institutions in AJK.

AJK University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi, in his introductory remarks, apprised the president that a 193 kanal of land for the Neelum sub-campus has been identified at Tangot. The VC informed that payments for the land would soon be made in order to guarantee it acquisition. He also briefed the president that funds for construction of prefabricated structures have been committed by the AJK government and further coordination for acquiring the said funds would be made.

The president said procedural formalities for acquiring the said land needed to be completed on priority and a desired an update on the situation may be presented in a week’s time. He further said that additional land identified at Islampura would also be processed for the sub-campus.

He thanked AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir for dedicating his time and extending his sincerest efforts in assisting the university and district administration in addressing issues related to the establishment of the Neelum sub-campus. The president said that timely completion of the derivative projects would be ensured.

Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad also informed that in the first phase, HEC would provide Rs 5 million for construction of the Neelum sub-campus. The AJK president commended the support of HEC chairman and said that with the help of HEC we would ensure the highest standards of education at all public sector universities in AJK.

Shah Ghulam Qadir, Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, AJK University VC Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi, Higher Education Secretary Zahid Khan and deputy commissioners of Neelum and Jhelum attended the meeting.