France would help Pakistan in setting-up a world class engineering university at Karachi to produce high quality graduates and strengthen university-industry linkages. A consortium of some of the best French universities will collaborate with Higher Education Commission (HEC) in this regard.
The details about the project were finalised during a meeting between Advisor to the Prime Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Atta-ur-Rahman and Marc Foucault, Director General of International Relations and Co-operation, Ministry of Education, France on Thursday.
Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, who is currently visiting France also met with Director Scientific Co-operation and Higher Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs France to iron out details of this mega project.
According to HEC, the project is aimed at bridging the gap between the existing set up in Pakistan and the internationally accredited standards of engineering universities.
The establishment of this top level international university will produce high quality graduates exposed to research and development activities which are required to modernise the industry and improve quality of people.
The university will particularly focus on strengthening university-industry linkages. Over 130 acres of land of the Marine Academy at Karachi is being handed over to Higher Education Commission to house the new university.
The new university will be one of the six engineering and three technological universities being established by the government. The engineering disciplines at the university will also include marine engineering. Classes are expected to begin by end of 2008.
The vice chancellor, heads of departments, professors and faculty of the planned university will be from France.
The universities will have technology parks, business incubators for strong linkages with industry in that area.
Admission in the university will be merit based with no quota system. Fee structure will be as low as possible while no one will be refused because of inability to pay the fee. One billion rupees have been allotted for scholarships and grants.
Over a period of five years, 500 students will be funded to pursue their M.Sc studies in France while the best 150 out of them will be invited to study for their doctorates.