GUJRAT: Once known for offering training and research courses, the Gujrat Ceramics Institute has been lying dysfunctional for the last more than two decades due to negligence of the authorities concerned in the provincial government.

Official sources say the Punjab Industries Department has now shown interest in making the institute functional by relaunching some courses and research work in accordance with present-day requirement.

The institute, established more than five decades ago (in the mid 60s), would offer three-year diploma as well as one-year courses in ceramics and pottery manufacturing.

Students of this institute have long been serving in ceramics industries of Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and some other cities.

Set up in the 60s, the centre has been lying closed for over two decades

The building and machinery have consistently faced deterioration and attracted rust.

“This dysfunctional institute is costing the government heavily in shape of utility bills and staff salary.

It is learnt that Punjab Minister for Industries Chaudhary Shafay Hussain has taken notice of prevailing

circumstances in the institute and other vocational training institutes in Gujrat and issued directions to the authorities in the local administration and Tevta (Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority).

The ceramics institute which is also know as Tevta Ceramics Display and Sales Centre, Gujrat, is currently under the administrative control of Tevta.

Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Safdar Virk paid an inspection visit to the ceramics center on the direction of the Punjab government and sought a detailed briefing from the staff on the reasons of suspension of training and research as well as proposals for their relaunch after which a detailed report will be sent to the minister for industries.

Talking to Dawn, DC Safdar Virk said that the Punjab government wanted to utilise these training centers for technical training of the youth, particularly in Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin region, to promote the skilled human resource for the regional industry.

He said it could help in stopping human trafficking as trained youth could get jobs locally and abroad.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2024