The Planning Commission of Pakistan has sanctioned Rs 460 million for a mega project of the Development of Infrastructure for Improved Facilities at Kohat University of Science & Technology (Kust). The project was approved during the Central Working Development Party (CWDP) meeting, said a press release issued on Friday.
The project is intended to develop necessary infrastructure and human resource development at Kust. The addition of these facilities would result in better research and development and academic activities, thus enhancing the quality of education and better academic facilities to the students at their doorsteps.
The project would be instrumental in strengthening the department of Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry and the Institute of Management Sciences, besides the establishment of the department of Biotechnology and Genetics Engineering. Major objective of the project is to serve as a permanent base to impart higher education and conduct research at advanced level in areas where fast solutions are conceived, the statement added.
Under this project, it is planned to construct two academic blocks, an administration block and apartments for officers. In line with Higher Education Commission (HEC)'s policy of Human Resource Development, Kust has allocated Rs150 million to train its 35 faculty members at PhD level in universities in Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Japan and the United States.
To provide best possible research facilities, the university has allocated Rs70 million for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, besides Rs150 million for the purchase of chemicals, glassware and the purchase of text and reference books. To provide an excellent work environment, all the laboratories will be feted with air-conditioners.
In addition to this the present administration has obtained about Rs350 million from the HEC for the construction of a three-storey Central Academic Block, a 4-storey library, three-storey hostels, students service centre, and a hotel for visiting and foreign faculty.
The existing and proposed works are expected to generate 500 jobs during the construction period and about 150 permanent opportunities after the completion of the development projects.-PR