ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on October 23, said the government would look into a proposal to provide land for the expansion of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU).

He was speaking as chief guest at the fourth convocation of FJWU here at the Convention Centre. Federal Education Minister Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi, Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman, Punjab Governor Lt-Gen (retired) Khalid Maqbool, and Provincial Education Minister Imran Masood, who is also pro vice-chancellor of the university, were also present on the occasion.

In response to the demands made by the FJWU vice-chancellor, Dr Najma Najam, the prime minister said every possible measure would be taken to fulfil the needs of this new emerging centre of excellence, including its expansion.

“I will also request the Punjab government not to get its rest house vacated since the university is using it as a hostel for about 300 students,” the prime minister said.

Mr Aziz underlined that without the participation of women, no nation could develop.

“I am always for providing equal opportunities to women in every walk of life, and now God almighty has provided me the opportunity and I will explore every possible avenue for their betterment in Pakistan,” he added.

Some people are not in favour of having separate educational institutions of higher education for women in the country, the prime minister said and added that he did not agree with the notion. It is the need of the hour that the status of women should be brought on a par with that of men, he maintained.

Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab governor, who is also chancellor of the university, said there was a long way to go as far as women education in the country was concerned.

In her welcoming remarks, FJWU Vice-Chancellor Dr Najma said the university symbolized the nation’s commitment to women education.

The university offers postgraduate courses in 12 disciplines and has two undergraduate programmes.

The vice-chancellor said the university was short of space and there was a dire need for its expansion. She suggested that 200 acres should be allotted for its expansion, which would be enough to cater to educational needs of women in the country for the next 50 years.

Degrees were conferred on the successful students of 12 postgraduate and two undergraduate programmes.

Source: Dawn

Date:10/24/2004