November 8, 2003	Saturday	Ramazan 12, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a proposal to establish an institute of biotechnology on the campus of Bahauddin Zakria University, Multan, says an official statement.

The establishment of the Institute of Biotechnology at BZU, Multan, aims at contributing towards the attainment of objectives stated in the annual, five-year and perspective plans of the government for the improvement in agriculture, education, health sectors.

The statement said by setting up the institute, the faculty would be able to transfer technical know-how to the individuals from the economically deprived population of Southern Punjab.

The short-term objectives of the institute would be to provide teaching and research facilities to 30 students and 20 researchers of various MSc, MPhil and PhD programmes in agriculture, biology, pharmacy and other allied sciences annually.

The long-term objectives of the institute include starting research programmes by asking students who were pursing their masters, MPhil and PhD studies in agriculture, biology, pharmacy and other allied sciences to select topics for research.

There is no public and private sector institution in the country which deals in these fields that too in Southern Punjab.

The establishment of this institute would emphasis on the training of the available manpower (pursuing scientific degrees in relevant fields) in the fields of biotechnology to resolve the emerging issues in daily routine life relevant to health, agriculture, fisheries and livestock. The institute will also provide facilities to the researchers capable to carrying out studies in the fields to meet international standards regarding production, preservation and marketing of consumer items.

The institute is part of a series of development schemes initiated by the commission which focus on the achievements of the objectives that universities must play their role in providing a leadership role for the national development.

The results of establishment of this institute would benefit all segments of population in Punjab in particular and the country in general.