ISLAMABAD, July 31: A Rs131.3 million expansion and upgradation programme of the Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) awaits approval of the government, an official source told Dawn.

The project envisaged construction of three academic blocks to house the faculties of communication, science and information technology, the official said.

He said under the project laboratories and specialized infrastructures would be built, equipment for basic and specialized science programmes purchased, networking of the three new buildings would be made, besides provision of other facilities.

At present, around 3,000 students are enrolled with the university and receiving education in 13 programmes including Islamic studies, English, education, master of business administration (MBA), master of public administration, master of computer sciences, environmental sciences, behavioural sciences, communication studies, fine arts, economics, defence/diplomatic studies, BSc, software engineering and bachelor of computer sciences.

About 750 public and private sector institutions (degree colleges) of science and arts with an enrolment of about 350,000 serve as feeder institutions to the university.

The university is housed in the old Presidency with 16 classrooms, eight laboratories, one lecture hall, ten offices and one small library.

One of the aspects in the upgradation project is to enhance the existing accommodation facility which is not enough for smooth functioning of the academic programmes, he said.

Accommodation is seriously required for labs, classrooms, research rooms, offices of IT faculty, environment and communication sciences as well as basic science programmes.

Due to unavailability of space, the IT labs have been established in the corridors and administration block, the source said.

The contributions of the university would help in achieving national, scientific and technological goals and bring Pakistani women at par with those around the world.