Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) of Engineering Sciences and Technology have formally started an eight-week postgraduate certificate course in Engineering Management at Wapda Administrative Staff College.
Former Wapda Chairman and GIKI Board of Governors President Engineer Shams-ul-Mulk was the chief guest at inaugural ceremony of the course. Wapda Chairman Shakil Durrani, GIKI Rector Engineer Jehangir Bashar, Wapda Member Power Muhammad Qasim Khan, Wapda Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar, GIKI faculty members and senior Wapda officers were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Engineer Shams-ul-Mulk said that the 21st century, being the century of knowledge, had provided limitless opportunities to the world. The developing countries like ours could benefit by combining technical expertise with efficient managerial skills, he added. He expressed the hope that the Engineering and Financial Management Course would go a long way in achieving this goal.
Dilating upon the rich heritage of Wapda, he said that construction of the world's largest irrigation system under Indus Basin Replacement Programme within the stipulated period of just 10 years was a miracle. Earlier, Wapda Chairman in his welcome address said that Engineering and Financial Management Course - the first of its kind - has been designed by two top brand names of the country ie Wapda and GIKI for professionals of all disciplines. The course modules will be taught by a combination of academicians, field engineers and corporate leaders, he added. Wapda Chairman said that the course would prove to be instrumental in enhancing the professional skills of the participants.
In the future, the provincial government and the private sector would also be invited for the course. Referring to the achievements in the past, he said that Wapda, motivated by its glorious past, was implementing 18 projects in view of increasing demand of water and electricity in the country. The 969MW Neelum Jhelum, 4500MW Diamer Basha Dam, 1410MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 740MW Multipurpose Munda Dam and Kurram Tangi Dam are under implementation.
GIKI Rector Engineer Jehangir Bashar while addressing the ceremony, termed the Engineering and Financial Management Course a joint venture of great significance, as this would go a long way to connect the academia with the industry and become a precedence for similar ventures which would augur well for the economic growth of our country at large.