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Minister inaugurates Rs182m coal research project
Minister inaugurates Rs182m coal research project


LAHORE: (Wednesday, November 22, 2017): Punjab Minister for Higher Education Syed Raza Ali Gillani on Wednesday inaugurated newly-established state-of-the-art research laboratories for research in coal technology, energy and environment engineering at Punjab University Centre for Coal Technology New Campus. Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Nizamuddin, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir, Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Chairman Lt General (r) Muhammad Akram Khan, University of Sargodha former VC Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Engineer Qamar ul Islam Raja, Member Punjab Assembly Dr Farzana Raja, Centre for Coal Technology Director Prof Dr Shahid Munir, deans, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Under the expansion project for world-class research in coal, energy and environment engineering sector, seven new research laboratories equipped with latest research gadgets worth Rs 14 crore, pilot power plant, four new classrooms, conference room, PhD cluster room, faculty offices and computer labs have been established. Addressing the ceremony, Syed Raza Ali Gillani said that Pakistan was on the verge of take off and the government had overpowered energy crisis the country was facing in 2013 as per its commitment with the people. He said that unfortunately we were not aware of our potential and we must appreciate others who were doing good job. He said that we must utilize our resources so that Pakistan could benefit from coal power and we must adopt advanced technology in this regard. He stated that Pakistan had made rapid progress in very short time and no one would be able to defeat China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that a few neighboring countries were worrying over rapid development in Pakistan. He said that terrorism had nothing to do with Islam and Pakistan. He advised the students not to get disappointed as they were full of talent. He said that we were the people who would bring our beloved country forward and students must serve their country by excelling in their fields. On the occasion, he announced honorarium for the faculty of Centre for Coal Technology. He said that such facilities would also be provided in other universities of the province. In his address, Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Nizamuddin appreciated state of the art coal research laboratories at Centre for Coal Technology and said that such meaningful research institutions were not in good numbers in the universities. He said that our curriculum must be in line with existing technology. He said that we must promote entrepreneurship programs and linkages with industry and PHEC would fund seminars and conferences in this regard. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir thanked Mr Raza Ali Gillani for extending his support and patronage to Punjab University administration in research projects. He said that Mr Gillani also showed special interest in PU's BT cotton project. He said that the university would organize science fair soon. Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Akram said that we would have to rely on indigenous technology because of ban on exporting some specific technologies to Pakistan by international powers. He said that we must focus on generating power from Thar coal and shale gas. He said that we must produce technologists and work on removing shortcomings in indigenous technology. Conspiracies will also be hatched against Pakistani coal, he said, adding we must promote national unity in our country. Prof Dr Shahid Munir said that Centre for Coal Technology was the first institution in Pakistan offering MSc and MS in Coal Technology and MSc in Energy and Environment Engineering. He said that the latest equipment that PU Centre for Coal Technology had in its laboratories matched the standards of equipment in high-tech European laboratories. He said that it was a big challenge to produce environment-friendly energy. He said that power generated from coal would meet future needs of Pakistan. Former VC University of Sargodha Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, Dr Farzana Raja and Raja Qamarul Islam also spoke on the occasion.