Karachi:The Foundation Stone laying Ceremony of the new building for the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Karachi was held on Thursday.
The DPT Building is being constructed in collaboration with Aftab Memorial Welfare Association next to Dr M. Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization.
The KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, AMWA representatives, deans, students, faculty and Chairman DPT Dr Basit Ansari, chairmen and chairpersons of various departments, teachers and administrative and engineering staff were present for this ceremony.
The Joint Secretary AMWA Dr Imrana Begum observed that health related issues are increasing in society but on the other hand, people do not have many options to get proper treatment.
She said that governments are responsible to provide facilities to the general public but every citizen particularly philanthropists could also play an important role in bringing betterment in the society.
“Qualified specialists, trained para-medic staff and standard labs are essential for providing better health facilities and combating against diseases.” She mentioned that everyone wants a healthy society but hardly few people come forward to practically implement the projects. Dr Imrana Begum added that if there are collective efforts then society would see the positive results.
She said that physical therapy is not taken seriously in our society owing to lack of awareness, education, and information regarding the need and importance of physical therapists. She mentioned that AMWA has come forward for the greater interest of society, students and faculty of the DPT and Karachi University.
Vice President AMWA Shahi ul Hassan while addressing the ceremony said that soil testing and the first draft of the DPT Building’s map has already been completed and the KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi, the Chairman DPT Dr Basit Ansari and varsity’s administration has been informed in this regard.
He shared that Aftab Memorial Welfare Association has nominated him for the project. Shahi ul Hassan, Civil Engineer by profession, has completed his studies from NED University and associated with Lyari Development Authority. He was hopeful that the project would be completed in time as he did not see any hurdle in completing the construction in time.
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi said that with the passage of time challenges have increased in the professional fields and so the scope of professional degrees. He urged that students should avail the facilities available in the campus and learn from the experiences of their faculty members.
He observed that demands of professional physical therapists would further increase in coming years and students with professional degrees and working experience would be able to grab that opportunity.
He acknowledged that Aftab Memorial Welfare Association has come forward to help Karachi University and said it was a very good sign that people who think about the betterment of the city are coming forward and practically working to bring changes in society.
Earlier, Dr Basit Ansari informed the audience that DPT new building would be completed in one and half years and added that department would be shifted to the new place soon after the completion of project and installation of necessary furniture and laboratory equipment.
While acknowledging the role of the AMWA, Dr Basit Ansari said that dream of the new building would be completed on time because the AMWA representatives are personally taking interest in this project.
He shared that despite the fact that the current building does not have much space to facilitate a large number of students the enrollment in the DPT has been increased. During past three years, we have witnessed the demand in this field and many students want to get their education and degree in the DPT.