Loadshedding affecting research
Loadshedding affecting research work at QAU: VC
Islamabad, Oct 28: The current wave of loadshedding is seriously affecting research work besides routine studies of the students of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Vice Chancellor of the University Dr M. Qasim Jan said here on Monday.
"Yes, the ongoing tripping is badly affecting the research work besides routine studies, our labs are stocked with sophisticated equipment worth millions and some of them need electricity to keep them running round the clock," the university's chief told this Agency.
He said the university could not afford Rs 100 million allowing for all these expenditures including hi-power generator and other necessary measures to make electricity available for these equipment.
Replying to a question, he said, he had suggested the wapda chief but to no avail to bring him round to readjust the loadshedding schedule as pursued for the country's other universities such as Bhauddin Zakriya University, Multan by avoiding loadshedding from 9 am to 3 in the day and 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. during the night.
Similarly, he added, last year 15 per cent of the total budgetary allocations for the university, which amounted to Rs 85 million, was cut and this year also, the VC added the university had been informed in advance to brace itself for the same.
Other issues, he added, included limited accommodation facility, especially for girl students whose number was multiplying in each passing fall.
He said the university had two girl hostels, which could not accommodate the rising intake of students but this year, eligible students for the facility increased manifold.
However, he hoped university would succeed to tide over the crisis and added a building had been hired out in Bharakahu to put up all extra girl students hailing from remote areas.
In addition, he said that university had five hostels for boys and two more were under construction and would be completed soon, he added.
Replying to another question, he said that owing to non-availability of land, the university could not establish more departments.
He said academic council and syndicate had approved to construct buildings for two more departments but owing to unavailability of land the university had so far failed to execute the task.
He said that last year university produced 56 Ph.D scholars and was effectively contributing its services towards promotion of quality education in the country. App
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