Six engineering universities

I will regard the news item of prime importance when President Musharraf and Dr Attaur Rahman announced that six engineering universities will be established by 2008 with the help of top universities of Sweden, Holland, Germany, Austria, France and South Korea. Indeed it will be a great achievement and commendable if achieved by 2008.
Dr Atta has numerous services to this country, especially in the higher education sector. And this will be another achievement and it will be very beneficial in the long run. I appreciate that Dr Atta has taken a few steps that this nation will start taking benefit in 10-15 years' time. I have a suggestion for establishing these universities. The locations of these universities are very important.
In my view these top international universities should be established in remote and under-developed areas of Pakistan. For instance I suggest two universities to be in Balochistan (Pasni and Zhob). One in northern areas likes Hunza, one in NWFP in Chitral, One in Sindh at Dadu and one in Punjab at Rajanpur. It will be highly desirable for the country to pay attention to under-developed areas of Pakistan.
The construction activity of Universities would generate employment in these under developed areas. The number of brilliant students from all over Pakistan will come to these areas to be taught by foreign faculty so in a way these remote areas will be directly connected to not only the whole of Pakistan but also from top foreign countries.
Initially local non-teaching staff will also be hired from local areas, which not only will generate employment but also increase their vision and know-how. Their next generations will also have an opportunity to study in these high-tech institutions at their doorsteps. The presence of a large number of engineering students will also generate a lot of economic activity in these areas.
It will also convince big investors to establish industries along these areas in order to get fresh graduates immediately from here. Their visits to these areas/universities will be frequent for hiring purposes. These universities will also hold international conferences and exhibitions and technical seminars which will increase the areas' connections with the international community. Ultimately the local faculty will also join in and usher in prosperity in these areas. These institutions will provide very high standard go to the higher education to the people of Pakistan and it will all go to the credit of HEC Chairman.