First phase of optic fibre network at Sindh University completed

Sindh University (SU) has completed the first phase of installation and testing of its networking under "Optical Fibre Faculty Tolerant Giga Bit Campus Network" on Tuesday.
On completion by Jaffer Brothers, the password was handed over to the SU Institute of Information Technology (IIT) in a ceremony held at the Institute, in which Vice Chancellor Dr Mazharul Haq Siddiqui was the chief guest. The project was funded by the Higher Education Commission in 2003, which cost Rs 34.601 million and was implemented under the supervision of IIT.
At the moment optical fibre-based network will provide online connectivity to the academic and research departments. As part of the project, Multimedia Polycom equipment has also been installed, and M. Phil and PhD seminars are being conducted. Telemedicine program has also been launched.
SU Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq termed it as beginning of the journey of the use of information technology on the path of progress, which would continue in quest of unending excellence.
He directed the IT management to work out plan for providing 24-hour service of Internet to students at hostels, and advised the teachers to enable and empower the students with knowledge and information.
There are 34 nodes of optical fibre connectivity at Allama I I Kazi Campus, Jamshoro, and the Elsa Kazi Campus, Hyderabad, is also connected through radio modem connectivity.
The SU is the first Public Sector University, which will be providing interactive communication infrastructure for learning and delivering education throughout the country.
The benefits to the students would be to have 24-hour access of Internet, learning support, teaching plan, information for students, selection and enrolment guidance and access of professional organisation, including carrier advice etc.
IIT Director Dr A. W. Ansari highlighted the aims and objectives of the project. IIT Senior Faculty members Dr Imdad Ismaili, Professor Asad Shaikh and others also expressed their views.
The VC distributed appreciation certificates among staff members and stakeholders associated with optical fibre project. Faculty of Natural Sciences Dean Dr M Y Khuhawar and a large number of faculty members and people from various institutes and departments were also present.