Karachi: The Sindh Transport Minister, Engineer Syed Owais Qadir Shah, on Wednesday, claimed that the University of Karachi and NED University have the potential of resolving the longstanding traffic issues of Karachi.
He stressed that traffic jams and transport is one of the oldest and the most serious issues of the metropolis. It could be resolved with the help of the University of Karachi and NED University as they have experts and human resources, which could assist the provincial government and its transport department, in improving the transport system of the megacity.
He promised that the Sindh government is determined to provide a durable and long-lasting solution for the transport system. He recommended that KU and NED should join the hands of the provincial government in resolving the working transport issues of Karachi.
He suggested that both the universities could establish an advisory team comprised of their faculty members and students and share ideas to improve the transport system of Karachi.
He was speaking as a chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Block II, University of Karachi.
He claimed that the Sindh government has been providing grants to universities across the province on a regular basis so that universities could smoothly conduct teaching and research activities.
“We are aware of the fact that financial support is essential for universities and the Sindh government will keep helping universities in this regard.” He urged that students should also play their roles in the betterment of the universities and students’ federation could be a better platform for students to show their abilities and leadership skills.
The provincial minister Syed Owais Shah claimed that Pakistanis have almost defeated the Covid-19 pandemic because they were following the standard operating procedures in true letter and spirit and hoped that this nation would also overcome the extremism factor as well.
He assured that he would talk to the provincial chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah regarding the transport issue of the University of Karachi and hoped that the Sindh government would provide support to the KU.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor NED University, Professor Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, expressed that universities have always played a crucial role in the development of the nations. He stressed that higher educational institutions help in shaping economic and social development.
He observed that linkage between academia and industry is vital for the financial growth of any country and hoped that this culture would also be promoted in Pakistan soon.
Later, on the behalf of the Rotary International and Dr Essa’s Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre, Dr Farhan Essa announced to give a cheque of half a million to the Department of Chemical Engineering, KU and said that he would visit the department in near future to hand over the said cheque to the department’s in-change. He also announced to bring industry heads and representatives to the department so that students could get jobs on time in reputed organizations.
The KU VC Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi observed that chemical engineering is one of the most technical disciplines and critically important for the sustainability of industries. He mentioned that they could also help in addressing the energy crisis by creating environmentally-friendly fuels.
He hoped that the provincial minister for transport would help the University of Karachi in addressing the transport issue of the campus as they have more than 42,500 students in the morning and evening shifts but do not have sufficient point buses to cater to them.
The Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Dr. Abid Hussain, and in-charge Department of Chemical Engineering, KU, Engineer Dr. Shagufta Ishteyaque also spoke on this occasion.