KARACHI, March 28: The department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, is facing an acute space problem.

The department started functioning in the year 1957 with the enrolment of only 22 students. The number has now increased to more than 1,200.

According to senior faculty members the department has a capacity to accommodate only 200 students. This, they point out, poses quite a number of problems and the biggest one being that of the space.

The senior faculty members are of the view that there is an urgent need for expansion. They have suggested that another floor be added to the existing building of the department.

The space problem is also hampering the teaching activities at the department. In the prevailing conditions it is difficult to gather 300 students for a lecture.

Therefore, the department needs construction of an auditorium to accommodate more students under one roof.

The old building of the department is under the use of the genetics department whose new premises are now almost ready. It is felt that the old building, when vacated, should be handed over to the department of Microbiology to help meet its space problem.

During the past 45 years the department has produced more than 5,000 microbiologists who are very well placed in responsible positions, and are serving within the country as well as abroad.—APP