LARKANA:Pro-Vice Chancellor, Sindh University (SU) Campus, Larkana, Prof Dr Azhar Ali Shah, has sent an application to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and others, requesting them to upgrade the SU campus as a separate full-fledged comprehensive general university by passing the draft Lakano Bill 2020 from the Sindh Assembly.
In his application, Dr Azhar said: “It is submitted that Larkano is not only an oldest city and home to ancient civilization of Mohen Jo Daro but also democratic face and political capital of Pakistan for being native abode of first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan and first Woman Prime Minister of Muslim world.”
At present, total population of Larkano division is more than 1,524,391 of which around 60 percent is youth. Every year more than 30,000 students pass intermediate examination from Larkano Board, he stated in the application.
Out of 30,000 students, only 1500 get admission at Medical University, 230 at Engineering University Campus and 120 at Agriculture University college while more than 2,8000 do not get any university admission in the premises of Larkano because of unavailability of comprehensive/general University in or around Larkano, Shah said.
As per manifesto and vision of PPP as well as according to HEC vision 2025, there was need to be at least one comprehensive/general university at each district of Sindh so as to achieve the dream of providing quality higher education at the doorsteps of people, Shah said.
People of Larkano and its elected representatives have always demanded for the establishment of comprehensive/general university at Larkano so that disciplines of natural sciences, social sciences, arts, literature, business, law, education and others could be regularly taught at undergraduate and post graduate level and also research could be conducted so as to transform the socio-economic conditions of the city of Larkano and its surroundings, Shah said.
Higher education is said to be the engine of socio-economic transformation and hence recently during the 8th Foundation Day Celebration of Sindh University Campus Larkano, it was collectively demanded by members of civil society, students, parents, teachers and administration including the Vice Chancellor University of Sindh that this campus be upgraded as full-fledged comprehensive/general university through enactment of draft University of Larkano Bill 2020 from Sindh Assembly, he further added.
“It is therefore requested to your honour to kindly place the enclosed proposed bill for establishment of University of Larkano on the agenda of next meeting of Sindh Cabinet and also on the agenda of next session of Sindh Assembly,” Shah said.
People of Larkana and adjoining areas have also been constantly demanding establishment of a university but the govt has paid no heed to their demand so far. Dr Shah’s demand is justified which should be accepted forthwith which will brighten the future of so many students who can’t afford studies or can’t get admissions.
While talking to this scribe on Saturday, Shah also confirmed that he had sent the application to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Shah and others for establishing a full-fledged university for Larkana.