Punjab University leases land to telecom companies
PU wants to generate revenue in the wake of severe cuts in grants
Lahore, Jan 16: The Punjab University (PU) in a bid to generate revenue in the
wake of severe cuts in grants by the federal government has leased its land to
three cellular mobile companies for installation of towers. It is learnt
that cellular mobile companies Warid Telecom, Mobilink and Zong have entered
into a ten-year agreement with the PU. A senior PU official said
university authorities felt the need to find ways to generate revenue as public
sector universities were now receiving "meagre" funding from the Higher
Education Commission. He said besides installation of towers, the PU
administration had also invited telecom operators to use campus space for
advertisement purposes. "The initiative is aimed at generating funds by allowing
companies to advertise their products through billboards and temporary stalls on
the campus etc," he said. A senior PU teacher
seeking anonymity expressed concern over the initiative. He said quoting
research reports that tower radiations were harmful and the university
administration should have conducted a study of the impact of radiation on
students, teachers and employees of the Punjab University. The varsity
should have taken steps to counter any such danger, he added. "Unfortunately,
the PU administration did not conduct any study or survey before entering into
the agreement," he claimed. There are more than 65 million mobile phones
users in Pakistan and it is expected that this figure may increase to 80 million
by 2010. The PU official said mobile phone companies were investing a lot
in expansion of the infrastructure to meet the rising demand. He said antennas
were mounted on towers and would not expose students and teachers to harmful
radiation. Resident Officer (RO-II) Malik Zaheer said the PU would
receive Rs 6 million annually by allowing cell phone companies to install towers
on the campus. He said agreement was signed for a period of ten years with 10
percent increase annually. To a question, he said such towers were
installed everywhere and did not have any harmful impact on the people. "We,
however, have leased land with thin population in proximity," he
said. Malik said the areas where these towers would be erected are hostel
side water tank No 3, near Shah Di Khoi, PU New Campus, near the university's
main library and area adjacent to residential colony of the varsity staff. When
contacted, PU registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said the agreement was
technically and economically feasible. The News
PU declares BSc, MA and MPhil results
Lahore: Punjab University Examinations Department has
declared the results of BSc Chemical Engineering & Technology, Third
Professional (New Course), 2nd Annual Examination 2004, MA Archaeology (Semester
System), Session 2006-2008 and MPhil Chemistry, Session 2001-2002. Ppi
PU, Iranian varsity sign MoU
Lahore: The Punjab University and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran,
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for students, teachers and
resources exchange and academic and research collaboration. The MoU was
signed by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran and Ferdowsi University
President (VC) Prof Dr Ali Raza Ashori at the PU New Campus on Thursday.
Kharasan Governor Muhammad Javad Muhammadi Zadeh, Ferdowsi University Director
International Relations Dr Abedin Vahedian, PU External Linkages Director Prof
Dr Najma Najam, Deans of faculties and principal officers were also present.
According to the MoU, both universities shall offer grant of scholarship to five
qualified students nominated by the varsities. Both the varsities will offer
one-month summer school to 10 students from Pakistan in Persian language to be
carried out by Ferdowsi University in lieu of the similar opportunity for 10
Iranian students studying English to be carried out by Punjab University.
Both sides shall organize a faculty tour for 10 academic board members
of each for exploring research activities and opportunities available at both
sides. The Ferdowsi University will nominate an academic member to the Punjab
University to teach Persian language at postgraduate and PhD level for a period
of two years. Meanwhile, a four-member Iranian delegation led by Vice
Chancellor of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, visited the Government
College University (GCU) on Thursday. According to a press statement,
Ferdowsi University VC of Dr Ali Raza Ashori in his meeting with GCU VC Dr
Khalid Aftab said, "We want to promote bilateral relations with the GCU and for
this purpose we will exchange scholars and PhD students of various academic
fields." He also elaborated academic and research programmes of his university
and urged to strengthen links with GCU in the field of mathematics, physics and
English.The GCU VC said that there should be academic collaboration between
Iranian and Pakistani universities particularly with regard to exchange of
teachers and students in different fields. The News
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