Petroman to be given status of university
ISLAMABAD- The Ministry of Science and Technology has decided in principle to convert Petroman into a full-fledged university.
According to a press release, the ministry has launched a project for the upgradation of Petroman and an amount of Rs39 million has been allocated for the purpose.
Under the project the number of students enrolled with 22 institutes of Petroman would increase from 700 to 9000 graduates. The output will be 4000 graduates (Bachelor) in Computer Science and 27,000 diploma holders in Information Technology/Computer Science/Engineering Technologies, Oracle, e-commerce etc. A two year Master degree in Computer Science has also been introduced under the project.
Strengthening of Petroman is the part of a series of projects launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology for human resource development. The project will facilitate in equipping individuals with advanced and special IT knowledge and skills required for positions of responsibility in business, government and other professions to meet the challenges of new millennium.
The project aims at producing high calibre competent and socially responsible professionals in Information Technology and related disciplines by equipping them with state-of-the-art technology with exposure to the practical applications.
The proposed upgradation plan of Petroman will be carried out in the institutions located in Karachi, Quetta, Hyderabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan and Islamabad.
The campuses where upgradation plan would be carried out are located in areas where number of software houses and business concerns have their offices.
The strengthening plan of Petroman mainly includes upgradation of software and hardware laboratories.
Under the plan, highly qualified and experienced faculty/teaching staff will be engaged on full-time basis. The plan also envisages hiring of PhDs in computer science on two year contract basis to teach at Masters degree level in Computer Science (MCS) programme which is presently being offered at the main campus of Karachi.
The compensation package of faculty and teaching staff will be comparable to the equivalent institutions in private sector.
The persons employed will be encouraged to undertake research and consultancy. This will supplement their compensation package.
Under the plan 10 faculty members (Associate/Assistant Professors, Lecturers and five Instructors/ Lab demonstrators having good scholastic background and relevant experience would be selected for further training. They would be sent for local/foreign training/higher studies.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/8/2001