The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will establish an engineering university in Sialkot in collaboration with Swedish government.
This was stated by Federal Minister and Chairman HEC Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman while addressing a news conference along with Leif Pagrotsky, Minister for Education, Research and Culture, Sweden, presently visiting Pakistan with a seven members delegation to explore possibilities of mutual co-operation of both the countries in higher education sector.
Atta said that the university would be the first of the six engineering universities announced by government of Pakistan and it is expected that the classes will begin in 2008 where Swedish government will provide technical expertise through vice chancellor, top professors, examination system, quality assurance and training of faculty while Pakistan government will provide all the finances.
"The aim of the project is to strengthen engineering sciences which is linked to the government's vision to transition the country's agricultural economy to knowledge economy," added Professor Atta. The university will also house all basic science departments, which are considered as integral parts of any world class engineering university. He further said that at present over 200 students were being awarded scholarships to top Swedish universities who will be available for these engineering universities with their technological skills.
He further said that these six engineering universities are to have autonomous campuses in various cities of Pakistan, HEC would not confine itself to major cities but also establish these universities in the cities where there is industry incubation, such as Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Lasbela, and Multan. Collaborating countries for rest of the universities include, France, Germany, Austria, China, South Korea and the Netherlands, he added.
He informed the media persons that admission into the university will be strictly on merit and seats will not be reserved on any quota whatsoever. The fee structure, he said would be kept as low as possible to admission accessible to all. A sum of Rs 1 billion in scholarships to students was already part of the projected plan. "No one will be deprived of admission if not able to pay the fee," reassured the chairman HEC.
Leif Pagrotsky, Swedish Minister for Education expressed faith and optimism at the challenging task undertaken by the government of Pakistan. He said the high level of ambition and the short span of time impressed him in which Pakistan was bent on achieving its goal of enhancing the higher education sector. He expressed his delight at getting the chance to participate in expansion of knowledge as education would not remain an asset for the privileged few but millions would benefit from it.
Anders Flodstrom, President Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (KTH) informed the media persons that he was looking forward to the challenge of compressing 180 years of the institute's experience in handful of years but promised to deliver the same quality. He said he was honoured that his institute would be part of this mega project.
He said Sialkot offered a perfect place to set up university, as the industry in the city would help them develop technology parks in the proposed university. They planned to begin with 1,000 students and raise it gradually, but quality would be their major priority.
He said that the collaboration would strengthen research ties too and their aim would be to replicate excellence through training and the university would reflect the world standards of KTH.
Ms Mariann Samuelson, Director, Division for Research Policy, Ministry of Education, Research and Culture, Per Eriksson, Director General, Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, Par Omling, Director General, Swedish Research Council, Wille Birksten, Political Adviser, Ministry of Education, Research and Culture and David Samuelson, Political Adviser, Ministry of Education, Research and Culture were part of the visiting Swedish delegation.