KARACHI, Oct 5: The University of Karachi has signed an agreement with the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) for establishing a phone exchange on the campus for provision of telecommunication facilities , including voice, data, internet and intranet to its teaching departments, research centres and institutes.

An official of KU said as per agreement signed on Sept 25 by KU Vice Chancellor and NTC Director Development South, varsity administration will hand over a plot measuring 600 square yards in the campus to the corporation initially for 20 years for establishing an exchange building.

However, on the expiry of the term, agreement could be renewed for further by mutual consent of both the parties, he informed. "The land handed over to NTC will remain property of KU and requirement of telephone connections for employees of varsity will be met on a priority basis as around 500 telephone lines would be reserved for this purpose," he informed.

NTC will not be authorized to assign, transfer hand over the possession of the space provided by KU to any other agency. He said the premises will purely be utilized for setting up NTC exchange building to provide telecommunication facilities to the University and government sponsored institutions and projects.

On expiry of terms of the agreement, the building will be handed over to KU without any charges, he told. The KU official maintained that the premises to be handed over to NTC will not be used for public dealing and no unauthorized person will be allowed to access the area except designated staff. -PPI