KOHAT, Sept 28: The first secretary of the press information and culture section of the Japanese Embassy, Mr Yokio Tsu Tsumi, planted a sapling in the Kohat University of Sciences and Technology (KUST) campus to formally launch a tree plantation campaign on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference Mr Tsumi, a graduate from the Punjab University, said the education ministry of Japan had sponsored 12 scholarships for students and teachers each year. Besides, the government was generously donating funds for poverty alleviation and development of Pakistan.

Speaking in Urdu, he said the 'Friendship Tunnel' between Peshawar and Kohat was a symbol of strong relationship between the two countries. He presented a list of books to the registrar of the KUST which could be arranged free of cost by the Japan Book Foundation.

He later planted a sapling of Chinar in the lawns of the vice-chancellor's block. KUST Vice Chancellor Dr Zabita Khan Shinwari, in his welcome address, thanked the government of Japan for taking keen interest and participation in the development of Pakistan.

He asked the students and staff to apply for different scholarships offered by the government of Japan and avail the opportunity of learning in a country which was decades ahead of other states in the field of science and technology.

Mr Shinwari said that a number of new disciplines would be introduced in the institution after the completion of the extension wing to bring the university at par with other international institutions.

Work on the extension wing of the university would begin from Oct 20, he said, adding that the university was playing an important role in providing modern education to the students from all over the country and had specially provided a chance to the people of the NWFP to acquaint themselves with the knowledge of the modern times.

He thanked NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah for establishing the KUST after realising the need for such an institution in the province to improve literacy rate and education standard.