KARACHI, Sept 27: The Minister for Ports and Shipping, Qamar Zaman Kaira, visited the Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) on Saturday to review its performance after its transfer to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for its upgrade to the University of Engineering, Science and Technology of Pakistan.

He was accompanied by Ports and Shipping Secretary Mohammad Saleem Khan, and the Director-General of Ports and Shipping, retired vice admiral M. Asad Qureshi.

The minister was given a briefing by an official of the HEC about the details of investment and the progress so far made in establishing the University of Engineering, Science and Technology of Pakistan and the future plans envisaged for marine cadets’ training upon formal commencement of the university business.

The minister directed the HEC official, and the head of PMA to focus on developing fully-fledged faculty of marine studies, as envisaged in the MOU signed between the ministry of ports and shipping and the Higher Education Commission.

He emphasised the need for expediting formulation of revised PC-I in this respect and getting it approved from the central development working party at the earliest.

The minister advised the head of PMA to increase the number of cadets in the academy, improve faculty, and develop its infrastructure, including class rooms and hostels.

He advised the director-general of ports and shipping and the PMA head to look into the possibility of arranging scholarships from respective port authorities, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and other shipping agencies for the PMA cadets on a regular basis, enabling the academy to keep its fee structure at a reasonable level.

After the presentation, the minister inspected the newly renovated and refurbished buildings of Academe-I, Academe-II and the officers club.

The minister appreciated the rehabilitation work at PMA after its transfer to HEC and urged them to expedite completion of the remaining development work as well.—APP