PESHAWAR, May 21: The central working development party (CWDP) has approved projects worth Rs479 million for revamp of the Peshawar Campus of the University of Engineering and Technology. The CDWP took the decision in a meeting which was chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh here on Friday. It approved establishment of a new department at an estimated cost of Rs.186 million. The department will impart education in industrial engineering. After establishment of this department the university will become pioneer in introducing BSc in industrial engineering at university level in the province. The Department would create an environment for entrepreneurs and link the industry with academia.

The project would help promote research and development and strengthen engineering and science education in the province, said the university’s Director Finance & Planning M Sarwar Khan.

The existing campus is housed in the old building of Engineering College. The building does not meet criteria fixed by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and needs more classrooms and laboratories. A proposal for construction of a separate academic block was submitted which the CDWP approved. The new block would be built at a cost of Rs95 million.

The CDWP also approved a Rs152 million plan to strengthen teaching faculty and encourage at least 25 faculty members of the university to do PhDs in foreign universities. It also approved construction of a students hostel at a cost of Rs39 million. The hostel will have the capacity for 200 students.