ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a project worth Rs35 million for the upgradation of teaching and research facilities at the Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab.

Under the plan, latest laboratory tools would be installed at the institute to impart training to about 2,200 students per year at MSc level, and 20 to 25 graduates at MPhil and PhD levels.

These students would be well-versed in the latest developments in various fields of chemistry and modern techniques being used throughout the world, an official statement said.

The students would be intellectually equipped to meet the challenges of expected industrial, scientific and technological growth of the country.

The students of MPhil and PhD programmes would be assigned research problems of national importance having impact on health, agriculture, environment, energy and chemical industrial sectors.

The project would also modernize Lab/Lib of the university through provision of the state of the art equipment and latest books and journals to enhance teaching and R&D activities at the institute.

The scheme will also provide trained manpower in chemistry discipline acquainted with the latest knowledge of the field of education, industry, agriculture and research organizations.

The project will be helpful in solving problems related with chemistry faced by industry, agriculture, forestry and geological sectors by performing research at MPhil and PhD levels.

The project would not only assist the industry and other research organizations by extending analysis facilities, but consultation services would also be provided to support institution running and management of chemical-related industries.

Expert advice and assistance would be provided under the project to industrial sector, government and regulatory agencies on ethics, legislation, patents and intellectual property rights.

The project would elaborate research activities with universities and organizations abroad and start exchange programmes with the latter.

As a result of the project, the well-trained chemistry graduates would contribute to increase productivity in chemical sector. As researchers they could be able to design new products for import substitution and export thus contributing to economy of the country.

As analysts in quality control labs they (graduates of the institution) would ensure that only quality product could attract the market.

As workers in government laboratories they would help in maintaining standards of environment, safety, foods and drugs.