RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The first technical and vocational university of Pakistan Punjab Tianjin University of Technology (PTUT), which is being established in collaboration with China, will be operational from March 2018.

Minister School Education Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan announced this on Thursday while addressing a joint press conference along with Minister Industries Sheikh Alla-ud-Din and Chairman Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Irfan Qaiser Sheikh.

Chairman TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Sheikh signed the agreement with three universities of China including Tianjin University of Technology and Education (TUTE), Tianjin Chengjian University and Tianjin Polytechnic University on first of November at Chinese City of Tianjin.

While addressing the media, ministers and Chairman TEVTA termed the initiative a historic step in the history of Pakistan.

Irfan Qaiser said that initially the campus is being built at TEVTA’s Institute of Emerging Technologies Township Lahore, a purpose built campus which was established with collaboration of Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA). However, after during two years, a purpose built campus with Chinese structural design will be established at Government Technology College Raiwind Road which has the land of 157 kanals.

Irfan said that 1600 students will get admissions. He also said that university will offer eight degree courses in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, textile engineering, clothing design and engineering, architecture and civil engineering and PGD in Advance Chinese Language.

He also said that budget of Rs 3000 million has been allocated for this varsity. He said that university will start a new era of education standards in the country.

Talking about the admission criteria, Irfan said that university will have 80 percent reserved quota for the students of three-year Diploma in Associate Engineering (DAE) which does not have further progression in higher education, therefore they have been given more opportunity. He added that 20 percent quota has been allocated for FSc and A-level students.

Rana Mashood said that purpose of establishing technical university is to provide best technical education to the youth of the country. He said Luban Workshops will be established in TEVTA institutes to incorporate best TVET practices of Chinese Vocational and Technical Training System. He said that Luban International Model for Workshops and labs will be replicated in terms of design and construction under guidance of Tianjin Foreign Affairs office and Tianjin Education Commission.

Talking about the university’s faculty Mashood said that there will be 3 Dean and 8 HoDs. All HoDs will be Chinese national who will work in these three varsities. While replying to query, Rana Mashood said that Pakistan lacks expertise in these eight sectors, which is the reason that senior faculty will be provided by Chinese varsities. He also told the media that 70 faculty members will be visiting China this year where they will be given training for two months and after that they will teach at the PTUT.

He also said that the syllabus of these 8 courses has been designed in collaboration with these university however, it has been approved by Higher Education Commission (HEC) as well.