AJK To Have Tertiary Level Institutions Soon: Masood

MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2018 ) , Feb 18 (APP)::Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan Sunday said the AJK government was committed towards establishing tertiary level institutions in all districts.

The president disclosed this while chairing a high level meeting to discuss the modalities and procedural formalities for establishing the Neelum-Jhehlum sub-campus of the University of Azad Jammu Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir, Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, University AJK VC Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi, Secretary Higher Education AJK Zahid Khan and deputy commissioners of Neelum and Jhelum valley districts.

Sardar Masood asserted that tertiary level institutions in all districts of AJK was the need to provide quality higher educational facilities to the people of Azad Kashmir. Dr Kaleem Abbasi, in his introductory remarks, apprised the AJK president that a 193 kanal plot of land for the Neelum sub-campus had been identified at Tangot and its payment would be made soon.

Funds for the construction of prefabricated structures had been committed by the AJK government and further coordination for acquiring the said funds would be made, he added. The AJK president said procedural formalities for acquiring the said land needed to be completed on priority and desired an update on the situation might be presented in a week's time.

Additional land identified at Islampura would also be considered for the sub-campus, he added. Masood Khan thanked Shah Ghulam Qadir for dedicating his time and extending his sincerest efforts in assisting the university and district administration in addressing issues related to establishment of the Neelum sub-campus.

The AJK LA speaker said he would also offer his complete assistance in matters relating to the construction of link roads to the campus, electricity connectivity and water supply. Sardar Masood said timely completion of the derivative projects would be ensured and that too under the supervision of the speaker.

Dr Mukhtar informed the meeting that in the first phase, the HEC would provide Rs 5 million for construction of the Neelum sub-campus. The AJK president commended the support of HEC chairman and said that with the help of HEC" we will ensure the highest standards of education is provided at all public sector universities in AJK." Regarding the Jhelum sub-campus, the AJK president desired that the basic modalities, including land acquisition and allied amenities, be presented soon in order to initiate the establishment of a modern educational facility for the people of Jhelum valley.

President Masood Khan said that providing quality higher education at the doorstep of students would be made a reality with the rigorous assurance that the HEC standards were met. "Our universities will be made competitive and graduating students will be provided education in lines with international standards." The AJK president thanked the participants including the district administration for their untiring efforts towards the realization of the said sub-campuses.

APP/ahr/maj