GARDEZ (SW): Some ten years ago, the Paktia University was established in an old building, but over the years it has evolved into a sprawling facility thanks to the backing of the local community.
In the beginning, the PU simply had a couple of departments for irrigation, farming and teaching inside the faculty of teachers training center. According to the locals the Paktia civil society, the local farmers and traders joined hands for the development of this much-needed higher-education facility in the Gardez city.
Haqmal Masoudzay, a Paktia resident, said the locals’ love and aspiration for education encouraged them to raise funds for the development of PU. A number of local civil society organizations run by activists like Juma Gul Afghan and Samiullah Ahmadzai are managing awareness and mobilization campaigns in this regard. They are urging local tribes to put an end to domestic feuds, and strive towards common welfare and promotion of education.
Dr. Syed Wali Jalalzay, Chancellor PU, acknowledged that the locals have cooperated in building boundary walls and pavements, planting solar power panels and buying busses for transportation etc.
Up to six thousand students, including 150 women and girls are enrolled in the eight functional faculties at the PU. The locals hope to promote the Paktia University in a bid to make it one of the best in the country.
ENDS
