ISLAMABAD: On the request of the Ministry of Science and Technology, COMSATS University is set to open a new campus in Gwadar to promote science and technology in the area.
The proposal about the new campus was discussed at a meeting of Dr Tabbasum Afzal, Rector of COMSATS University, with Agha Hassan Baloch, Federal Minister for Science and Technology. The meeting was also attended by Naveed Ahmed Khan, Additional Registrar of COMSATS.
Dr Tabassum noted that COMSATS has campuses in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, but no campus exists in Balochistan province where it is direly needed.
“A proposal was made by the minister that we establish campuses in Quetta and Gwadar in Balochistan. We have put in a request for a proposal about the funding requirements for new campuses,” he stated.
Dr Tabassum said COMSATS is working to improve educational opportunities in the fields of science and technology.
“COMSATS has about 35,000 publications related to this subject. Additionally, we have extended an invitation to the minister to visit our campus in Islamabad. A meeting was also arranged with the secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology in which we delivered a presentation on the accomplishments of COMSATS,” he said.
Agha Hassan Baloch stated that the university’s priority should be on research activities, and building connections with universities of promising international repute.
The minister emphasised the importance of increasing the number of campuses in all parts of Pakistan to develop a federal footprint in the education landscape of all provinces.
“This will aid in providing equal education opportunities to all parts of society, and facilitate interprovincial student mobility,” he added.
In addition, the minister emphasised the importance of enhancing the quality of education and bringing it to international standards.
Dr Tabassum said the university has signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with universities in Turkey for handling challenges of the quickly changing technology environment and social needs through best affordable academic programmes in accordance with leading global standards.
“Property for establishment of Balochistan campus of the university has already been purchased,” he said. However, he said the issue of the Kot Addu campus remains unresolved owing to lack of funding.
