Engineering University Peshawar Establishes Academic Linkage with Old Dominion University
Representatives of the two universities sign the agreement to establish academic linkage between them |
An agreement between the NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar (UET) and the Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA, (ODU) was signed on August 5, 2008. Dr. Muhammad Munir, President PACES – Pakistani Americans Cultural & Educational Society, and Ex. Education Counselor, Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, DC, negotiated the academic and research program which was mutually agreed upon and signed by both the universities.
Muhammad Sarwar Khan, Adviser Finance and Planning represented the UET. John Broderick, Acting President, Carol Simpson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Oktay Baysal, Dean of Engineering School signed the agreement on behalf of ODU. Many professors were present on the occasion of the signing ceremony.
Dr. Muhammad Munir told the participants that PACS was working hard to establish more academic linkages between Pakistani and American universities in the field of higher education and research. Such agreements are not only useful for the dissemination of knowledge and research but also foster peaceful relationship between the two countries. He disclosed that UET Peshawar is becoming a center of excellence in the field of engineering education and research. He informed that PACES has already negotiated academic linkages of UET with University of Maryland, George Washington University, George Mason University, and University of California at Berkeley. The implementation of the agreements has been successfully initiated.
Muhammad Sarwar Khan appreciated the efforts of PACES for establishing the useful academic linkages with American universities. He briefed the participants about UET and disclosed that they have also established few academic linkages with the universities of United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. He informed that UET has three more campuses in the province of NWFP and a new campus is under construction at Jogazai near Peshawar. He said that Vice Chancellor Engineer Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani is a very dynamic person who is developing teaching and research programs of the university on the lines of high ranked universities. He wants to see UET as one of the best engineering schools in the world.
The academic linkage between UET-ODU is different from previous linkages. This is actually a split program of PhD, under which teaching and research would be undertaken in both universities. ODU will help UET in the development of PhD teaching courses. The teaching staff of one university would teach in the other university for some time on a reciprocal basis. Similarly, research work will be undertaken jointly by both the universities. Joint publications and seminars are also part of the linkage program. Thus besides teaching and research the linkage would be a source of cultural exchange.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
