| Motto | To be determined |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university campus |
| Established | Proposed |
| Affiliation | Proposed under University of Mirpurkhas (UMPK) |
| Location |
The University of Thar is the conceptual name for a planned, public-sector academic campus in the Tharparkar District of Sindh, Pakistan. The initiative aims to provide accessible higher education at the local level to students from the remote Tharparkar and Umerkot regions, who otherwise travel to distant cities like Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas for tertiary education.
While the long-term objective is to establish a full-fledged, independent university, the project is currently advancing as a constituent campus of a regional university.
Rationale and need
The proposal for a higher education presence in the Thar region stems from the significant number of local students enrolled in universities outside the district:
High Enrollment from Thar: A large proportion of students enrolled in the faculties of the University of Sindh (UoS), Jamshoro, and the newly established University of Mirpurkhas (UMPK) originate from the Tharparkar and Umerkot districts.[1]
Regional Development: Establishing the campus is viewed as a crucial step for the intellectual, social, and economic development of the Thar Desert region, providing accessible, quality education for the local youth and creating a localized pool of skilled professionals.[1]
Institutional evolution
The project has undergone several planning stages regarding its final affiliation:
Initial plan: University of Sindh (2017)
The first official step toward establishing a campus was announced in July 2017 when the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh (UoS) announced the creation of the Sindh University Thar Campus.[2]
The campus was intended to begin operating from the building of the Sadiq Faqir Degree College in Mithi.[2]
This plan was adopted to extend educational outreach to the region and was taken on the direction of the Chief Minister of Sindh.[2]
Proposed affiliation: University of Mirpurkhas
Following the establishment of the University of Mirpurkhas (UMPK) in August 2023, the Government of Sindh has considered placing the Thar campus under UMPK's jurisdiction.[1] This shift is based on the administrative alignment, as Tharparkar District falls under the Mirpurkhas Division, making UMPK the designated regional university for the area. UMPK's mandate explicitly includes facilitating students from remote areas of the Mirpurkhas division, including Umerkot and .[3]
Related institutions
The Thar Institute of Engineering, Sciences & Technology (TIEST), established in 2019, provides specialized technical education in the district. It is a constituent college of the NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, focusing primarily on engineering and sciences relevant to the Thar Coal power and mining industries.[4] TIEST and the proposed UMPK campus collectively aim to address both the technical and general academic needs of the region.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Mirpurkhas University hope for Thar's students". The Express Tribune. Hyderabad. December 2, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- 1 2 3 "Sindh University opens campus in Thar". Dawn. Mithi. July 13, 2017. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ↑ "Vice Chancellor's Message". The University of Mirpurkhas. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ↑ "Thar Institute of Engineering, Sciences & Technology". NED University. Retrieved 2024-11-17.