Islamabad, October 03, 2022 (PPI-OT):A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology was held on Monday at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad. Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen chaired the meeting; that was attended by, Senator Khalida Sikander Mandhro, Senator Fawzia Arshad, Senator Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar, Senator Muhammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Junejo and Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch.
Meeting is also attended by Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Memon and senior officers of the Ministry Science and Technology, Chairman PCSIR, Rector National University of Technology (NUTECH) were also present. Meeting started by recitation of Holy Quran by Chair. Secretary Committee narrated the agenda of the meeting and a very engaging meeting subsequently ensued on.
The Committee was briefed about NUTECH by Rector and Registrar NUTECH in great detail and was informed that the first batch of engineering had passed out this year. It was also informed that the university is actively involved in community work and national and international collaborations to provide a holistic educational experience for the students.
The Committee was also informed that the University was actively involved in collaboration with various industries and in a short span of time has to its credit innovation that have put it in the spotlight both on the local and international level. NUTECH Industrial projects include NUTECH Ventilator, 3D Printer, Dialysis Machine, X-Ray System and Advanced Ballistic Calculation System.
NUTECH wished to make a mark in the Hospitality Sector as well, since it would provide a huge opportunity for overseas employment. Regarding scholarships the Committee was told that a total of 298 scholarships were being awarded to students. Chairman committee pointed out no scholarship was provided to Balochistan students. In addition to this it was revealed that students that have been awarded EHSAAS undergraduate scholarships are being entertained as well.
While deliberating over the details of the University the Committee stressed the need for inter-institutional collaboration on both local and international level and also stressed on inclusion of technical individuals from field in BoG. It was asserted that this was the best way in which greatest use of resources could be made thereby taking the Country on the path of success.
The Committee also stressed the need for data collection and analysis especially in terms of strengths and weaknesses of under privileged areas so that provincial institutions may develop its academia and academics according to international standards. Reviewing the break-up of the Board of Directors, the Committee asserted that public representatives must be included as well. Concerns were raised regarding enrolment and male and female ratio at the University.
The Committee lauded the efforts being made by the University and said that in terms of its innovations all out efforts must be made to prioritize domestic needs in critical industries that cater to health and education. Secretary MoST presented data related to the Roster Policy in Employment Quota and its implementation status in all MoST Organization to the Committee.
It was informed that currently NUST, NUTECH and CUI did not cater to the quota system in order to maintain international standards. Chairman sought report upon news of recent malafide recruitments and also asked to fill up the vacancies in transparent manners. Meeting ended with vote of thanks by Chair.
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