ISLAMABAD, Sep 13: University of Peshawar and Tribal Areas Chamber of Commerce signed Memorandum of Understanding to work jointly for effective consultation, cooperation and exchange of information for economic and social uplift of FATA, FR and PATA. The MoU signed the other day by Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz and President Tribal Area Chamber of Commerce will remain effective for five years.
According to the agreement TACCI will provide internship facilities to BBA, MBA and Commerce graduates of the UoP. In the initial phase one student each for the seven FATA Agencies would be given full time employment, as research officers, at the TACCI which later can be extended to hiring one each for FR and PATA areas. University of Peshawar on the other hand would increase quota of seats for FATA students in various disciplines from the coming academic year.
TACCI and Cell for FATA studies University of Peshawar will also coordinate and cooperate in Trade, Social, Anthropological, Gender, and Geological. Environmental and Political research on FATA. They will jointly conduct surveys, seminars, conferences and workshops.
University of Peshawar would arrange short courses, training of management and commerce for the administrative and management staff of TACCI on actual cost. UoP, Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management will also provide manpower manpower, technical and logistic support to FATA during natural disasters, according to the MoU.
Militancy has destroyed most of the existing infrastructure of FATA, said Vice President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mr. Zubair Ali. He added if we establish sub campuses and branches of institutions like University of Peshawar in these areas it can do wonders for changing the faith of this area by producing educated and skilled manpower.
Coordinator FATA Study Centre, Prof. Dr. Ijaz Khan said there are lots of opportunity areas that needs to be explored in FATA. He added FATA cell can coordinate and organize series of seminars on issues related to the troubled area for possible remedial measures. Its time that we give attention to FATA and focus on its areas of improvement, he said.
FATA is an area which is focal point of the whole world for many reasons, said Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz. Let us explore and exploit the rich resources of FATA for the benefit of its people and the country at large, before someone else do so, he added.
The Vice Chancellor agreed in principle to establish sub campus of University of Peshawar and a Centre of Gemology and Mineralogy with the support of Tribal Area Chamber in FATA after approval from the relevant quarters.
The ceremony was attended by President PUTA Jamil Chitrali, Director STI Prof. Dr. Johar Ali. Chairman Geology Department University of Peshawar Prof. Haneef, MPA and Executive member TACCI Anwar Khan and others.
