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KARACHI, Aug 6: The University of Karachi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Glasgow, UK, to expand interaction in research and education between the two institutions.
This was stated by Karachi University vice-chancellor Prof Zafar Saeed Saify on his return here after a 12-day visit to Britain.
On behalf of the Glasgow University, its principal Prof Sir Graeme Davies signed the MoU which envisages joint research, lectures, symposia and exchange of faculty and students.
There is also provision of cooperation relating to technology transfer issues, exchange of information and materials in the fields of mutual interest and exchange of other activities on which mutual consent is reached.
Prof Saify said the details of the actual exchange would be worked out and agreed upon by the two parties before each exchange can take place.
He said a course of coastal management zone would be initiated at Karachi University in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. It will help in the development of mangrove forests in the coastal areas of Pakistan.
The University of Glasgow has agreed to donate machinery and equipment to the Karachi University’s Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology and it will be affiliated with the University of London’s Marine Biological Station Mill Port to help enhance Pakistan’s export of seafood.
It was stated that in Pakistan there exists a fish that can be used in the preparation of surgical sutures - thread used for sewing up wounds — which will help the country earn foreign exchange.
The Institute of Zoology, which is affiliated with the Cambridge University, has agreed to provide eight scholarships to Karachi University students.
Royal Linnieum Society has offered Karachi University that it can help in the classification of plants and trees in the mountainous areas of Pakistan.
Prof Saify announced that the programme for reforming the academic and other affairs at Karachi University will continue.
He maintained that there was neither any victimization nor any harassment at the university.
He stated that if any one had any grievance he could move the court.
ENDOWMENT FUND: Following the footsteps of federal minister for science and technology Dr Atta-ur-Rehman for establishing an endowment fund for the needy and deserving students, the KU vice-chancellor on Tuesday announced to deposit his research productivity allowance in the fund.
At a briefing, he paid tribute to Dr Atta and expressed the hope that other KU teachers, who received the allowance from the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), would also submit their allowances in “Dr Atta-ur-Rehman Endowment Fund”.
A separate bank account would be opened with one million rupees to 1.2 million and 250 students working in the fields of natural and social sciences would be given Rs4,000 per month for conducting research in MPhil and PhD, he informed.
Dr Atta-ur-Rehman had refused to accept an amount of Rs1.2 million admissible to him as research productivity allowance and had suggested the PCST to use this amount for creating an endowment fund for needy and deserving students of Karachi University.
The PCST has accorded approval for awarding Rs3 million to 37 faculty members of the University of Karachi in recognition of their research and educational activities.
—APP
