The renowned geologist of the country and Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Dr Qasim Jan exploiting available natural mineral resources specially gemstones and underline the importance in development of the economy of the Pakistan.
He was delivering a popular lecture on "Plate Tectonics Configuration of Gemstones of Pakistan" on the occasion of inaugural ceremony of the centre for pure and applied geology" University of Sindh here on Monday.
The Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Mazharul Haq Siddiqui presided over the inaugural ceremony. A large number of renowned geologists and students of geology and scholars of other fields were present.
Dr Jan said that Pakistan is fairly rich in the mineral recourse including gemstones and added that huge quantity of the gemstone in better quality could be find out in our country if properly exploiting process can be done.
He said that the availability can be possible if the government side could encourage to people who are working in the area.
He said that in our country five kinds of gemstone namely Emrald, Perodat, Ruby, Aquanmarine in huge amount are available. He said that these gemstones only can be marketed if their colour is attractive, with clarity and are beautiful shape.
He said that these all five kinds of the gemstones are very expensive in the market and the interested people are using for the show pieces in their houses.
For better marketing as well as its identification, it was suggested for encouragement of the scholars, experts who are discovering as well as identifying the areas for availability of the mineral resources included gemstones in different parts.
The geology scholar also discussed about earthquake and said that the earthquake in all over word including Pakistan can come and added that there is need to pay attention for construction of building with proper attention.
He said that in Japan and other countries due to earthquake have taken proper steps for construction of buildings in their countries.
He said that with proper attention to towards construction of building in our country, we can reduce the damages.
He appreciated the steps taken by the University of Sindh for promotion of higher education and said that the Centre for Pure And Applied Geology would be helpful in providing skilled manpower as well as higher research and study in the field.
The Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui in his remarks said that no doubt that Sindh is producing more than 50 percent oil and gas to meet the requirements of the country but is it is high time that the geologists should have to pay more attention in exploiting of the coal resources. He said that the huge quantity of black diamond coal is available in Thar but our experts failed in exploiting it in proper time.
He said that the geology department of the university is rich in skilled man power, scholars and equipment and added that it is high time that the scholars of the geology and the centre work hard for the achievement of the goals expecting by the society.
He said that the scholars should interact with the society for the good results and achievements. The Vice Chancellor said that the country had badly suffered for a long time in neglecting to education and added that in present time the government is paying full attention for promotion education.
The Vice Chancellor announced that during five year time the scholarships would be given to the 200 faculty members for their Ph.d research programme. The Director of the Centre for Pure and Applied Geology Dr Parveen Usmani highlighting academic and research progress upgraded Centre said that the PC-I of the project costing Rs 587.2 million was submitted to Higher Education Commission (HEC) which has approved and released funds for the establishment of the Centre as Part of the university's mega project. She said that the HEC has released first instalment for the purchase of equipment.
She said that the Centre has been formally established and it is planned to take-up research studies as soon as the equipment being ordered are received. She said that the centre has initiated the faculty development programme and hoped that two faculty members will proceed for Ph.D studies by September, 2006 to be followed by others in phased programme. She said that four other teachers of the department are already working for Ph.D studies and added that the with availability of trained faculty it will be possible to enroll more Ph.D students and to offer consultancy services to public and private sector engaged in exploration of natural resources with reference to Thar coal field in particular.
Dr Usmani highlighting background of the development of the department to centre said that the department had been progressing in bits and pieces in term of infrastructure but due to chronic shortage of funds and the University's budget limitations, research efforts were generally stinted. She said that on other hand the development and exploitation of the province's mineral and fuel resources for the betterment of the lot of common man and also to meet the national goals, demanded accelerated research efforts and improvement in teaching standard.
The shortage of skilled manpower has been main stumbling block in this regard. She said that this realisation led to convening of national conference in February, 2005 to focus attention of concerned quarters on this issue and work out the strategy to meet the shortage of skilled manpower and expertise to promote research, to face the challenges and fulfil the aspiration of the people.
She also expressed thanks to HEC Chairman, Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University Dr Qasim Jan, Vice Chancellor of Sindh University Mazharul Haq Siddiqui and others scholars for helping hand in upgradation of the department as centre.
Dr Sarfraz Solangi Senior Faculty member and others also expressed their views and highlighted objectives of the newly established centre. The former Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences Professor Asif Ali Kazi, Registrar Dr Saeed Ahmed Soomro, Former heads of the departments also attended the ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Mazharul Haq Siddiqui accompanied to guest Vice Chancellor Dr Qasim Jan and faculty members and students inaugurated the Centre For Pure and Applied Geology.