China to Establish Engineering University in Pakistan

A consortium of Chinese universities will join hands with the Pakistan government to establish a technology university in Pakistan. The institute, named Pakistan China University (PCU), will be one of the nine universities to be set up by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for science, engineering and technical education over the next 10 years in various industrial cities. Each University is a collaborative venture between Pakistan and a consortium of top universities located in a technologically advanced country to establish a world-class engineering and science university in Pakistan. All these universities will provide an education standard equivalent to international standards.

A consortium of the best universities in China probably led by Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) will collaborate with HEC to set up this University on one of the several possible sites. Initially, the Rector and 50 to 70 per cent faculty will be from member universities of the Consortium. However, the Chinese faculty will be reduced to 25 per cent after more and more Pakistani scholars become available to replace them. In addition to the Rector and faculty of PCU, the examination system and quality assurance standards employed will also be Chinese. Identical syllabi in all technical subjects will be taught and joint examination will be held leading to double degrees. The University will have a technology park for strong linkages with industry. They will also facilitate development of world class industries and services, also enabling leading international especially Chinese companies to set up industrial units.

According to the initial plan, about 500 of the best students will be funded to pursue their doctoral studies in China. This highly trained human resource will eventually replace the Chinese faculty in the University. The University, which will help Pakistan by providing rapid increase in technologically trained manpower, is expected to be operational by the end of 2008. High technological activities will stimulate local suppliers and improve infrastructure and local standards as well as improve employment opportunities for people.

In this connection, a meeting was held between a Commission delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Federal Minister, Adviser on Science and Technology to the Prime Minister and Chairman HEC and a Chinese delegation headed by Prof. Yang Shuxing, Vice President, BIT at HEC Secretariat on Friday. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman told the delegation that there was highest political support for this venture as both the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were taking keen interest in the establishment of these universities.

The establishment of technology parks and incubation centres in these universities will link education to product development and will strengthen the knowledge economy. This project is going to be a permanent partnership between Pakistan and China, he stressed. While elaborating on the concept behind creating a consortium of universities of the partner country, the Chairman said that this approach had been adopted due to large size of these undertakings. It will be easier for the consortium to provide faculty for the University that is the basic thing. Then it will also help in developing Technology Parks. So the strengths of each member university of the consortium could be shared for this mega project, he added.

The Chairman also mentioned the excellent decision of the Prime Minster for providing a 15 -year tax holiday to promote new companies in strategic areas of high-tech fields that would facilitate the growth of industry in the country on the pattern already approved in the IT industry. The Chinese delegation regarded the meeting a very useful one as it had helped them understand the higher education system in Pakistan. They appreciated and took keen interest in the whole plan of Pakistan China University.