KARACHI, Feb 6: The Higher Education Commission, in the first phase, will set up engineering universities in Sindh with the collaboration of France, Italy and South Korea.

This was stated by HEC Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman at a meeting at the Sindh Chief Minister House here on Tuesday. He said the establishment of these universities would cost Rs140 billion.

He said one of the universities would be in Karachi and another in Jamshoro.

These, he added, would be set up on pieces of land from 500 to 600 acres. The expenditure of their establishment would range from Rs35 billion to Rs40 billion each.

Of the area, the university campus would be constructed on 300 acres while a technology park would be set up on the remaining land.

The HEC chief said that these universities would come into being in the next seven to eight years. He said that agreements with France and Italy had already been reached and an agreement would be signed with South Korea this month.

A total of nine universities would be established in the country. The provincial governments would provide land and infrastructure while the remaining expenses would be borne by the HEC.

Prof Atta was of the view that the setting up of these nine universities would be of immense benefit to the future of the country.

It was pointed out that those passing out from here would easily get jobs at the international level and there would be industrial development in the country.

The universities would also give rise to the hi-tech activities and there would be an increase in investment as well.

On the occasion, Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro said Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had initiated steps on a priority basis for the promotion of education in the province.

She said the chief minister desired that a university should be also set up at Sukkur so that those living in the far-flung areas could acquire quality education. -- APP