Dr Nadeemul Haq of University of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has been designated as first vice chancellor of the varsity from January 3, 2007.
According to a notification, deputy chairman Planning Commission and chancellor of PIDE Dr Akram Sheikh has appointed Dr Nadeemul Haq as the first vice chancellor of the PIDE, which was given university status few months back.
The institute was striving for this status since 2000. Earlier Dr AR Kemal former director of PIDE had initiated the move for the University status. Dr Nadeemul Haq who was appointed as director PIDE on April 14, 2006, continued the efforts and got the status.
PIDE was established in 1957, in Karachi and was shifted to Dacca in 1970. Then after the dismemberment it was revived in Islamabad in 1972, but had lost the whole of its library and work during the change. The aim of the institute was to take up research programmes to assist the government in framing economic policies. On becoming a University, the Institute is expected to initiate Masters' programme soon, sources said.
Presently, 49 PhDs are enrolled with it. Out of this, 30 have completed their course and 19 are in the process of completion. According to the details, 15 students have submitted their thesis and the Board of Studies (BOS) has approved thesis of 11, who will soon be obtaining their doctorate degrees, the sources said.