MoU signed to establish NED Campus in Thar this year

KARACHI: In pursuance of the announcement by the Government of Sindh, a NED University campus with the support of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) is being setup in Tharparkar this year.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between SECMC, NED and The Citizen Foundation School to commence classes in Thar Institute of Engineering, Sciences and Technology (TIEST) from this year. The TIEST will be established at TCF-Engro Campus Islamkot, district Tharparkar.

According to spokesperson NED, an MoU signing ceremony was held here at NED University Karachi, where Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SECMC, Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi, Registrar of NED University of Engineering & Technology, Syed Ghazanfer Hussain and Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmed The Citizens’ Foundation signed the agreement.

NED is offering a very wide range of undergraduate programmes (18 engineering, one each computer science and Architecture and 8 BS programmes), masters and PhD levels, and is about to establish its constituent college, TIEST at Thar with its classes for one undergraduate programme i.e. BS (Computer Sciences) to commence from this year.

The parties are desirous of developing bilateral cooperation, collaboration and linkage to share their expertise and resources specifically for the development of TIE ST, a constituent College of NEDUET.

SECMC would assist, support and facilitate NEDUET in developing its constituent college TIEST by providing local expertise needed for the initial work of the campus which includes local services, says the agreement.

The MoU further says, TCF will provide temporary space initially on the third floor of the existing TCF-managed School located at Islamkot town (TCF School Engro Campus Islamkot) for launching the classes of TIEST.

After establishing TIEST, NEDUET will assist SECMC for solving their technical problems and the latter will extend internships and visits for the students and faculty of TIEST. SECMC and NEDUET will also explore the opportunities for the mobility of students admitted at TIEST mainly in Chinese universities and industries.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO of SECMC, Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi said that establishing a constituent college of NEDUET at Thar is a national cause which will largely benefit the province of Sindh and particularly the residents of Tharparkar.

“The Government of Sindh providing a great support to the cause, while Engro will continue to fulfil the dream of “Thar Badle ga Pakistan” (Thar Will Change Pakistan),” he said.

Dr. Sarosh Lodhi, Vice Chancellor NED was of the view that they feel privileged to provide state-of-the-art higher education services in a remote area of Tharparkar at NED Islamkot Campus.

Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmed of TCF said, they are already serving the area where quality education services are required. “Playing its part to further serve the area by sharing a space for campus is an honor for TCF that shows our commitment to uplift the underprivileged area of Tharparkar,” he said.