The NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd) has stressed the need to focus upon the promotion of education in most modern disciplines especially in the fields of science and technology (S&T) to bring a change in the socio-economic life of the people.
In fact, he added, no fruit in any field can be derived without spread of knowledge and this must be made a mission.
Addressing as the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Preston University, a private sector institution, at Kohat on Thursday, the Governor said unfortunately this vital field of life has met consistently an indifferent attitude over the entire history of the country and even development in other sectors have been done at the cost of education.
In such circumstances when the literacy rate is as lower as 30-40 percent in the province and almost about 17 percent in FATA, how one can expect to play a leading role, he questioned.
The fact, the Governor said that education is the single most effective instrument to bring a change in every field of life whether it deals with social aspects or from the economic point of view including agriculture, industries etc, is an unchallengeable reality and efforts must have to be continued to bring a positive change.
Unfortunately, the Governor said up till now our focus has remained on borrowing and copying the achievements of the others and no big innovation or invention has been materialised.
The Governor also mentioned the rapid development took place in the USA as well as other developed countries and said what we see now-a-days in those countries is attributed to their achievements in the field of education.
Even, he added, country with much meagre resources and areas are far ahead of us so much so that GDP of a single such country is much more than even the entire Muslim Ummah.
Welcoming the establishment of Preston University at Kohat, the Governor said in fact the locational aspect of any institution doesn't matter to determine their recognition at national and international level rather it is the quality and standard of knowledge being imparted to the students by them.
People, he added, also go abroad and join educational institutions just because of their standings amongst the ranks of institutions.
Dr Abdul Basit, Chancellor of the university while presenting the address of welcome said that the idea of establishing this institution at Kohat was conceded 18 months back during their meeting with NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd) and thanked him for his tremendous support in the struggle for materialising it.
He described the foundation stone laying ceremony of the project a history making event in the struggle for the promotion of quality education not only for the people of NWFP but also the neighbouring countries and said that it would be a proud part of the history of Kohat as well.
The establishment of Preston University after the successful functioning of Kohat University of Science and Technology and construction of Al-Shifa Trust Hospital at Kohat, he remarked, are sufficient signs of the future developments to be taken place in this town.
He also disclosed that they have not only decided to decrease the ratio of tuition fee but also to award 500 scholarships to the deserving students of the province.
Dr Syed Riaz Hussain, Vice-chancellor in his address highlighted the importance of education whereas Abdul Hamid Executive Vice President of the University thanked the governor and guests for gracing the occasion.
Earlier, the governor formally laid the foundation stone. It was told on this occasion that the university building would have covered area of about 100,000 Sq. ft and university would be spread over an area of 50 kanals. It was told on this occasion that if required, sufficient land is also available for its extension.
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