SWABI: The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and Harbin Engineering University (HEU) of China on Sunday agreed to collaborate in the field of science and technology.

The agreement came at a meeting between a visiting delegation of HEU led by Prof Qiao Gang (Vice Dean, College of Underwater Acoustic Engineering), and a GIK team led by Rector Jehangir Bashar.

The delegates considered different avenues for collaboration between the two universities that included studies on glaciers, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, sonar imaging technology, underwater applications and use of smart technology in hydel power-related projects.

Student and faculty exchange programmes and joint research in various areas were also agreed upon.

The Chinese delegation gave details of their experience in water-related research, including underwater acoustics that could be shared for the benefit of Pakistan that has immense water potential.

Management and solution of sedimentation in the dams also came under discussion.

Shakil Durrani, executive director Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, briefed the Chinese delegation about the continuous sedimentation in Tarbela Dam causing erosion of storage capacity, and identified it as one of the possible research areas for both the universities.

Earlier, Jehangir Bashar, Rector GIK Institute, expressed the gratitude to the Chinese delegates for visiting Pakistan and selecting GIK as a partnering university.

The delegation paid the return visit after a high-powered delegation of Pakistan to China.

POLICE SACRIFICES EULOGISED: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said on Sunday that the provincial police had rendered tremendous sacrifices for restoration of peace in the province.

Talking to members of Swabi Electronic Media Association, he said KP police force had displayed professionalism and defeated those who wanted to disturb peace and challenge the government writ through cruel tactics.

To a question, he said the provincial police had become an impregnable force for eliminating terrorism and creating an environment where the people felt peace and free from any threat.

Meanwhile, the police recovered liquor and charas from a vehicle and arrested a smuggler during checking on Swabi-Jehangira Road on Sunday.

The police recovered 244 bottles of wine and over three kilogrammes charas hidden in different sections of the vehicle.

Car driver, Kalimullah of Jamrud, told police that he was taking the consignment to Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020