FATA University

Overview

The establishment of an institution of higher learning in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remained the long-standing demand of the people of this region. The plan for setting up the FATA University of international standard in FATA was finally conceived when the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani, had announced its establishment during a meeting with MNAs from FATA on January 16, 2009. However, the project was delayed due to many reason until the former President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, had approved the FATA University Regulations in May 2013. Afterwards, Government of Pakistan has included a project titled “Establishment of FATA University” in PSDP (HEC) 2015-16 at an estimated cost of Rs.4.7 billion with the allocation of Rs.250.00 million for the FY 2015-16. The completion of full-fledged university will be completed in various phases in future. The FATA Secretariat, Peshawar in consultation with the parliamentarians of FATA, has purchased land measuring 266 kanals at Akhurwal, Darra Adam Khel, FR Kohat through a development project approved by FDWP. The purchase of land of 200 kanals adjacent to the already purchased land is under negotiation with the land owners.

A project titled “Establishment of Project Management Unit (PMU) for FATA University” has been approved by FDWP at a capital cost of Rs.31.488 million in its meeting held on 28.02.2015. Later on, a revised PC-1 with a capital cost of Rs. 40.008 million was approved by FDWP in its meeting held on February 23, 2016. The PMU will be established in the Government Degree College (Akhurwal) Darra Adem Khel which will be responsible for the infrastructure development of the university.

The FATA Secretariat and Ministry of SAFRON started the process of appointment of the Vice Chancellor. In this regard, the FATA Secretariat announced post of Vice Chancellor/Project Director of the proposed University on 17.07.2015. The selection of Vice Chancellor through Search Committee was completed and in this connection the appointment of the 1st Vice Chancellor was completed via Notification No. PS/E/100-96 (Vol-10) / 412-24, dated 13-01-2016. In this regard, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tahir Shah assumed the charge of Vice Chancellor of FATA University on January 18, 2016. Soon after assuming the charge of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Shah started work on preparing the Project PC-1 scheme worth of Rs. 1592.733 million for the 1st phase which has already been approved by CDWP.

Future Plan

The infrastructure of the FATA University and the Administrative and Academic requirements in more than six faculties as per FATA University Regulations 2013 will be completed in different phases. In the first phase a limited infrastructure and Academic programs will be completed within 5 years with the estimated cost of about Rs. 1.6 billion under the present PC-1 scheme. However, the completion of Academic Programs under the FATA University Regulations 2013, will take place under different phases in future with the estimated cost of more than 4.7 billion.

Under the approved PC-1 Scheme, the following activities will be accomplished during the next 5 years:

It is envisaged that initially the hiring of faculty and staff and admission in undergraduate BS (four years) program in four subjects (i.e., Management Sciences, Mathematics, Sociology and Political Science) will be started in summer vocations and the regular session will start in September 2016 under semester system.