QUETTA, Feb 14: The vice-chancellor of Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences has said new building of the campus will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs1 billion.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday at the university auditorium, Dr Abbas Chaudhry stated that Rs40 million had been sanctioned by the federal government to build hostels at the 400 acres of land allotted for the campus at Chiltan Daman-i-Koh, adjacent to Hazarganji suburb of the city.

The vice-chancellor claimed that the university, established through an ordinance in 2002 by President Musharraf, was proud to announce a PhD programme for students in economics and management, mathematics and biotechnology. We have qualified faculty for research in these fields, he added.

He told newsmen that the university would shortly give admission in master's degree programmes of computer science, electronics and M. Phil in biotechnology and informatics, besides master's in business administration and environmental sciences.

At present, he said, the institution was imparting education to 552 students and 200 more would get admission by Feb 29. Existing building could accommodate up to 1,000 students, he added.

The vice-chancellor said, after the completion of new building at Hazarganji site, 10,000 students could get admission in the university, and then it would provide admission opportunity also to students from Afghanistan, Iran and the Central Asian States.

He said provision of facilities in the institution would help exploit the talents of the youth and the management of the university was trying to produce best students in research to develop a learning environment in society.