Sindh University Larkana Campus Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Azhar Ali Shah has sent a letter to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Adviser to CM for Universities & Boards Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and others, requesting them to upgrade the campus as a full-fledged comprehensive general university through the Sindh Assembly.
In his letter, Dr Azhar Shah said, “It is submitted that Larkana is not only an oldest city and home to ancient civilization of Mohenjo Daro but also democratic face and political capital of Pakistan being native abode of first elected prime minister of Pakistan and first woman prime minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world.”
At present total population of Larkana division is more than 1,524,391 of which around 60 percent is youth, Dr. Shah wrote.
Every year more than 30,000 students pass intermediate examination from Larkana Board, he added.
Out of 30,000 students only 1500 get admission at Medical University, 230 at Engineering University Campus and 120 at Agriculture University College while more than 28,000 young men do not get admission to university in the premises of Larkana because of unavailability of a comprehensive/general university in or around Larkana, Shah said.
As per manifesto and vision of PPP as well as according to HEC vision 2025 there need to be at least one comprehensive / general University at each district of Sindh so as to achieve the dream of providing quality higher education at the doorsteps of people, Prof. Shah said.
People of Larkana and its elected representatives have been constantly demanding for the establishment of comprehensive / general University at Larkana so that disciplines of natural sciences, social sciences, arts, literature, business, law, education and others could be regularly taught at undergraduate and post graduate level and also research could be conducted so as to transform the socioeconomic conditions of Larkana and its surroundings, Shah said.
Higher education is said to be the engine of socioeconomic transformation hence recently during the 8th Foundation Day Celebration of Sindh University Campus Larkana, it was collectively demanded by members of civil society, students, parents, teachers and administration including the Vice Chancellor University of Sindh that this campus be upgraded to full-fledged comprehensive /general university through enactment of *University of Larkana Act 2020* from Sindh Assembly, he further added.
In view of above, Dr. Shah went on to say that “it is earnestly requested to your honour to kindly order for passing of bill for establishment of University of Larkana on the agenda of next meeting of Sindh Cabinet and also on the agenda of next session of Sindh Assembly.”
It must be mentioned here that young educated people of Larkana and adjoining areas have also been regularly demanding establishment of a university but Sindh government has been avoiding for unknown reasons despite PPP claims that vision of Benazir Bhutto was to give top priority to health and education sectors.
Dr Shah’s demand is not only fully justified but it is the requirement of PPP voters and supporters which should be accepted forthwith to brighten future of so many students who can’t afford studies and are unable to get admissions for higher education for one reason or the other being worst affected by poverty. While talking to this scribe on Sunday, Dr Azhar Ali Shah confirmed that he has sent the letter to PPP Chairman, Sindh CM and the Adviser requesting them to establish full-fledged independent university in Larkana in the best public interest.
