KARACHI, March 29: The provincial education department will hold an annual exhibition of educational projects done by intermediate and degree level students of colleges in future.

This was stated by the Sindh Education Minister, Irfanullah Khan Marwat, while talking to newsmen at an exhibition on Monday. The Inter-collegiate Science and Social Science's Exhibition was arranged by Sir Syed Government Girls College in connection with its golden jubilee celebrations.

Appreciating the efforts of students after taking round of different stalls set up at the exhibition, Irfanullah Marwat said that students did a lot of work to complete their projects and as such they deserved demonstration of their projects at a centralized place at least once in a year.

The education department would arrange such exhibitions as permanent feature for all colleges at the Karachi Expo Centre soon, he added. Later, speaking as chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the exhibition, the minister said that the government realized the problems of colleges and it was taking different measures to solve them.

He announced that the provincial government would provide funds for the construction of an auditorium, 10 classrooms for BSc students at the Sir Syed Government Girls College, Nazimabad. Moreover, he said that six water coolers would be installed at the college.

He said that the government had approved the schedule of new expenditures (SNE) for new colleges and necessary facilities, including the appointment of teachers, would be ensured on priority basis. He said that funds provided to the college management committees would also be increased in due course of time.

The minister said that old colleges, which were established many years back also needed a review in the SNE in view of the high number of enrolment and educational programmes. After an expeditious review of the existing SNE and work load of the old colleges, new expenditures would also be approved, he remarked.

The principal of the college, Prof Birjees Siddiqui also spoke on the occasion and drew attention of the minister towards the hard pressing needs of the college. The Executive District Officer (Education) City Government Prof Rais Alvi and District Officer (Colleges) Prof Haroon Rashid also attended the ceremony.

About 20 stalls of projects pertaining to science, social science, information technology, medicines, were set up by students of Sir Syed Girls College; Shaheed-i-Millat Government College for Women; St. Lawrence Government Girls College; Government Degree Science and Commerce College, Federal B Area; Government Degree Science College, North Nazimabad; and Abdullah Girls College.

Many of the students, while apprising about their projects, maintained that they could do all for the exhibition only on a very short notice. "We have prepared a few of the projects, which are on display here, for the exhibition of intermediate board. But, the exhibition could not be held as per schedule this month," mentioned some of the students.

Students at one of the stalls while talking to this scribe urged the educational authorities to provide environment and facilities congenial to academic activities, which would surely contribute positively in developing talents among students.

Students at another stall claimed that they had been provided with only five computers for over 90 students of the first and second years classes at their college.

The stalls displaying projects related to environment, library and information science, chemistry and social science attracted a good number of visitors.

At the library science stall, old editions of Persian and Urdu dictionaries and old manuscripts of poetry collections were also put on display. The first and second prizes of the exhibitoin were won by the students of St. Lawrence Government Girls College. The students of Abdullah Girls College won the third prize.