ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a project to establish ‘Fibre Optic Backbone and Campus LAN/WAN’ at University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi.

According to a press release, the HEC has allocated Rs25 million for the project, which will be completed in a period of one year.

The primary objective of the project is to automate routine work at the university. Under this project LAN/WAN implementation and customized database designing and implementation will be done.

This exercise will be completed by introducing information and communication technology in all areas of work like internal communication, planning, finance and budgeting, procurement and human resource management.

The agriculture university is the only institution of its kind in this area imparting teaching, education and research for the entire arid region of the country.

It has been producing manpower specifically oriented to the needs of the people of arid areas in disciplines like natural resources management, integrated pest and disease management, crop production, post-harvest technology, environmental protection, agricultural economics and biological and social fields.

The establishment of fibre optic backbone and LAN/WAN will help improve efficiency in the official procedures and quality of education and research.

The project is capable of meeting the future needs of the university and changing demands for research and education environment.

It is also focusing on establishing academic network with national and foreign universities for the exchange of shared research database, digital libraries, enhancement of academic and research information.

Therefore, the project will be helpful in enhancing quality of education, promoting IT culture among teachers, researchers and students, and improving access to information.

It will also enable the students to access library holdings online without visiting the premises physically.