KARACHI, Sept 8: Up to 10,000 megawatts of electricity can be generated in the cities of Sindh through windmill. This was stated by Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof Dr Atta- ur- Rehman.

He was addressing army officers at the Army Air Defence in Malir Cantonment here and the faculty members of the Applied Economic Research Centre (AERC), University of Karachi, at the campus on Friday.

Prof. Atta informed that a project of solar energy is under consideration.

He also pointed out that a sum of Rs15 billion has been allocated for the higher education sector in the country.

The HEC chairman stated that instead of 500 people now 1,000 people would be sent abroad annually for acquiring Ph.D.

He said this would help provide highly qualified faculty for our universities.

Dr Atta informed that out of 10,000 faculty members only 3,000 possess PhD qualifications.

He believed that in the promotion of education and personality development, the biggest hurdle is 'incompetent teachers'.

He pointed out that nine universities would be established in various cities of the country with a sum of Rs 250 billion.

He announced that a ban is being placed on what he termed as 'illegal universities'.

Dr Atta pointed out that the status of those universities which will not come up to the standard set by the HEC by June 30, 2007 would be downgraded and they would be declared as colleges.

He also announced that the tenure track system regarding the hiring of the faculty members has been enforced in 32 universities of the country.

The HEC chairman said 260 Pakistanis have been brought from abroad and they have been given attractive packages as well as incentives.

A function was also held in honour of Prof Atta at the Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi.

The speakers paid rich tributes to him for his services.—APP