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Information Technology

Institute to be set up

in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: An information technology institute will be set up at Karachi at a cost of Rs. 10 million, said sources at Comsats here on Wednesday.

A joint ventures by OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) and Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in South (Comsats) and Jamia Millia, Karachi, the institution will cover wide range of courses related to computer, information technology.

"Jamia Millia has provided land for the project as its share under an agreement with its partners that will be valid up to 33 years," Comsats executive director told APP.

The cost of construction and installations, estimated at Rs. 10 million, will be borne by Comstech and Comsats.

"Both Comstech and Comsats will provide Rs. 5 million ever as their share as the land has already been provided by Jamai Millia as its share," Zaidi said.

He said the construction will commence from March 23 and will hopefully be completed within six months.

Zaidi said a nine-member board of governors has also been formed with the two members from each Comstech, Comsats and Jamia Millia and three from private sector.

When asked about the holding of classes, Zaidi replied that a building has been hired where classes for the short courses will start from March 23.

"Teaching will continue after it starts from March 23 in a hired building, till the project is completed and classes are shifted there," he said.

The major courses, he said will start in August, September in new building.

Initially, Zaidi said, the short courses specially those related to office management will be started and will take two to 12 weeks' time for completion."

He said, "the course named Introduction to Office Management will be of two-week duration.

The "Development in Oracles" course, said the executive director, will also be introduced besides Microsoft Certification related courses, word processing and post-graduate diploma.

Candidates having B.Sc degree will be eligible to take admission in postgraduate diploma course.

Development in Oracles' will take three months to complete, while one-year period has been specified for the postgraduate diploma.

Bachelor courses will start from August, September this year and a faculty was also being set up for the purpose.

"We want to bring the maximum number of young people into the net of information technology", said Zaidi and added, "provision of maximum opportunities was our aim."

He also lauded the efforts of Comstech for carrying out various programmes of modern research in biotechnology, Information Technology and other areas.ÑAPP