LAHORE: Punjab Tianjin University of Technology (PTUT) which is going to start its regular classes from March 23, is all set to introduce new disciplines of automobile engineering and cloth design engineering for the first time in Pakistan as no other technology university is offering such programmes.

Also, this is the first ever technical university established in Pakistan where the faculty would comprise of the Chinese deans and heads of departments (HODs). Three Chinese deans and at least 10 HODs would soon join the varsity, said a university officer, adding that the recruitment process for the faculty comprising at least 35 teachers has also been completed.

He said that the UET Lahore made all the recruitment while recruitment for the non-faculty staff was underway. He said that the PTUT would introduce new disciplines like automobile engineering and the cloth design engineering for the first time in Pakistan.

The PTUT was established in Lahore in collaboration with three Chinese Universities. The Punjab governor had also promulgated an Ordinance in November 2017. In this regard, an agreement regarding was signed between the Punjab government through TEVTA with three Chinese Universities on November 1, 2017 in Tianjin, China. The IC&I further wrote that all the necessary work has already been done regarding the preparation of curriculum, course designing and the establishment of laboratory etc

Official sources in the Planning and Development Department told The Nation that at least one billion rupees have been demanded to commence the classes at PTUT. They said the amount will be used for establishment of labs, payment of salaries and other similar operational expenditures for the commencement of the classes on March 23.

Officials said that the Industries, Commerce and Investment (IC&I) department had written a note to the P&D chairman demanding sanction of Rs995 million to run the newly established Punjab Tianjin University of Technology.

Moreover, as per the documents, a permanent campus of the university will be established at Government College of Technology on Raiwind Road where 29 acres of land is available. For initial 2-3 years, the sub-campus of PTUT has been established at Government Institute of Emerging Technology, Lahore, a building previously owned by TEVTA.

Initially, a steering committee headed by Minister Education and Chancellor’s Committee of PTUT were supervising the process of the establishment of the university for ensuring that the International Standards are met in all aspects. After promulgation of the Ordinance, Vice Chancellor, UET Lahore has been appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor of PTUT on January 18. The Punjab governor has also constituted a Chancellor’s Committee headed by Education Minister Rana Mashood Khan. The committee has been empowered to exercise all the powers to take executive decisions of the university. New admissions in the university are being supervised by the UET Lahore also.

To cater the financial requirements of the university, the IC&l Department submitted a PC-I costing Rs3,307 million, which was considered by PDWP on February 23. The PC-I of the project was discussed at length and decisions were made that include mode of funding would be one line transfer to the University. The scope of the project should be restricted to the initial 04-month requirements, and the bare minimum budget should be demanded in FY 2017-18. A new project needs to be included in upcoming ADP 2018-19, which will cater the long-term requirements of the university.

The lC&l Department in compliance of meetings moved a proposal for funds to run the PTUT amounting to Rs995 million for the Fiscal Year 2017-18.