TAXILA: The administration of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila has announced it will observe 2017 as “research year” to promote research culture among students and scholars of various disciplines in the university.

Talking to media persons on Thursday, UET Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed said students of the university will be involved in research based studies especially in civil and environmental engineering, telecom and information engineering, industrial engineering and mechanical and aeronautical engineering.

He added that in order to promote the culture of research, the university administration has also launched a program in which masters students will be paid Rs30,000 and PhD scholars will be given Rs60,000 for coming up with innovative ideas.

He added that the administration will also offer up to 40pc concession in tuition fees to students who perform community service in their native areas.

Dr Ahmed said students of various departments were sent to various affiliated industrial units to examine problems and technical obstacles in design, commission, operation and production and that these problems and obstacles are being studied at the campus by the concerned students.

He said that with this exercise, students are practically involved with the industry and will learn about the environment and working of industries before they have completed their studies.

He said various research projects in the university are utilising campus laboratories and various departments and faculties have been affiliated with industrial units including BSc engineering, MSc engineering and PhD engineering under the supervision of faculty members.

In response to a question, he said that other than the funds provided by the Higher Education Commission, the university will also provide funds for research from its own resources.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2017