PESHAWAR, Sept 15: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said on Wednesday that the provincial government would set up a centre of excellence for higher education in Bannu.

A handout issued here said that a meeting regarding quality education was held at the Frontier House in which Chief Secretary Ejaz Quraishi, the vice-chancellor of the Gomal University, the rector of the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute and the higher education secretary took part.

Mr Durrani said his government wanted to start a couple of disciplines in the proposed centre and it would produce highly skilled manpower. The centre would be started with the MNAs and MPAs funds amounting to Rs30 million, the hand out said, adding that the provincial government would also provide financial support.

The chief minister said the ministry for science and technology and donors would also be consulted to facilitate funding for the proposed centre of excellence. Mr Durrani ordered the formation of a board comprising eminent educationists so that focus should stay on quality education.

The chief minister said that the pre-requisites for the establishment of the university should be fulfilled. He also assured the rector of the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute to review the increase of merit scholarship and provision of funds for educational activities.