Institution-wise Feasibility for Establishment of Inter-Disciplinary Postgraduate Engineering Program in Southern Punjab

Abstract

Southern Punjab region has remained largely deprived after 68 years of independence when it comes to higher education in engineering & technology or development of industrial research culture. Due to political, socio-economic, cultural, and geographical reasons more than 60 million people living in this region have faced lack of opportunities to higher education in engineering and professional development. In this paper a feasibility study is conducted for possible establishment of a postgraduate level inter-disciplinary engineering program in Southern Punjab region to fill this gap. A successful inter-disciplinary engineering management program at University of Ottawa is adopted as a model. The institutions of higher learning in Southern Punjab are evaluated for their preparedness to institute such a program on a matrix of indicators. The study determines that establishment of such program will allow engineers, architects and town planners from multiple disciplines to acquire higher education and develop managerial and entrepreneurial skills in close proximity to their homes. The study concludes that such a program is feasible, highly desired and can be launched with minimum additional financial and human resources.