April 10, 2003	Thursday	Safar 7, 1424

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RAWALPINDI, April 9: A network of educational institutions will be established in Rawalpindi to transform the city into a seat of knowledge.

This was stated by the federal minister for information, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, while speaking at an oath-taking ceremony of Students Council of Government Degree College for Girls, B-Block, here on Wednesday.

The minister said tenders had been issued for four new degree colleges for girls, which would be established in Rawalpindi.

There were some difficulties in acquisition of land, however these had been resolved, he said. Another women university will also be set up in the city, he added.

Sheikh Rashid expressed his satisfaction over the working of different colleges set up in the past.

He said educated mothers could play a vital role in upbringing the children.

The information minister termed education as the backbone of development and urged the students to concentrate on studies.

“We are short of industries and facing numerous problems like unemployment and poverty. But we can, at least, focus on setting up educational institutions to ensure that our future generations are well-educated,” he said.

He asked the students to keep themselves abreast of latest discoveries in different fields and focus on getting IT education. He urged the women to work side by side with men to overcome economic constraints.

The minister also announced a fund of Rs50,000 for the college to celebrate Madar-i-Millat Day and to carry out repair work. He said 100 chairs would be provided to the college for overcoming the shortage of furniture.

Earlier, the principal highlighted the performance of the college. She also apprised the minister of the problems being faced by college staff.

According to the principal, 1,000 students are enrolled with the college, which has only 450 chairs. No grant has been given to the college since its establishment, she added.

A science laboratory and a book bank had been set up on self- help basis, she said. The college is also facing shortage of lecturers, she added.