Construction on New Site of Fata University Under Process

The new site of first ever and only public university for Fata region in the history of Pakistan is under process of construction. The university will be established in Darra AdamKhel area of Fata which was previously occupied by militants. Darra AdamKhel is now a peaceful area and free from occupation of militants. Common people were not allowed to enter Darra Adamkhel because of security reasons before but it is now open.

The site of Fata University is spread over 468 kanals. The construction and development of university has taken momentum due to efforts of VICE Chancellor of Dr Tahir Shah. A few years back the construction and development of Fata University’s allocated site was in middle of nowhere. Now it is hoped that within a year or two the university will be through construction process and start its academic functions. At present, the university is working as degree level college.

While commenting on Fata University’s development the VICE Chancellor Dr Tahir Shah said, ‘Fata University did not even have the basic facilities of electricity, telephone and the Internet when I assumed charge as a vice-chancellor. Gradually, through assistance of Tesco, we were able to arrange an electricity feeder for the university at a cost of Rs16 million. In Darra Adamkhel the telephone lines were not available because of the damage caused to the area during militancy. However, now we have been able to arrange telephone and the Internet, which are benefiting our students greatly’.

Dr Tahir Shah has done PhD from University of South Carolina and also has done service as Director at the National Center of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar. The VC said Fata University’s main campus will be the one under construction in Darra Adamkhel. There is plan to construct sub campuses of Fata University in other tribal districts in future. Tribal agencies are in much need of a higher education institution in their door steps to match up with academic progress of other regions of Pakistan.

The university is offering 50% suspension in per semester tuition fee to accommodate students of tribal areas and for the purpose of increasing number of admissions. The VC said right now there are four departments of Fata University functioning and in the future as soon as the construction of university’s own building completes more departments will be included for various higher education courses.

Fata University started working in 2009 but the practical research work in the university started in 2013 after approval of Fata University Regulation by then President Asif Ali Zardari. The VC Informed that 20 PhD scholarships in overseas countries was approved for Fata University out of which 5 scholars have been sent to abroad to avail these scholarships. He said that the chiefs and elders of tribal areas have welcomed the establishment of University but they hope for speedy development and construction of Fata University.

President of Fata Grand Jirga, Malik Marjan said that establishment of sub campuses of Fata University in other tribal districts will serve the purpose of promoting education in the area sufficiently but it would be even better if a separate university and medical college is established for each of tribal district. Furthermore, he said, ‘During the Miranshah visit the other day, the chief minister made no announcement about setting up universities and medical colleges in the tribal district’.