KARACHI: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that government is determined to upgrade engineering universities to make them global brands.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of new buildings of the department of computer & information systems engineering, fire laboratory and academic block in the NED University of Engineering & Technology on Friday.

He said that entire paradigm of progress and development had changed globally into industrialisation. The government could provide infrastructure, however, it was the faculty and students who have to bring about revolution through their innovation, he added.

He said that now tools of measuring nations’ power and strength had changed from war-ammunition to technology and innovation.

The minister said that UET Lahore, UET Taxila, UET Peshawar, BUET Khuzdar and NED Karachi were being upgraded so that graduates from the universities could better serve the nation after learning advanced skills.

The federal minister said that it was high time for collective efforts for bringing prosperity in the country, adding that collective efforts were vital for the cause.

He expressed the hope that the faculty and students of the NED University would work together for such innovations which were required to meet the global advancement challenges.

Vice Chancellor of the NED University Prof. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi presented a memento to the federal minister.

Earlier, in his address, the vice chancellor welcomed the federal minister and thanked him over his participation n the event.

Faculty members, Deans, HODs, scholars and students were among the participants on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2023