Deputy Education Director Mr Zaid Abuhouran accompanied by Educational Specialists (USAID Pakistan) visited the USPCAS-W

Today the Deputy Education Director (USAID Pakistan), Mr Zaid Abuhouran accompanied by Educational Specialists (USAID Pakistan), Mr Lila Ram, Mr Hafeez Samo, and the team visited the US.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.

Director USPCAS-W, Prof. Dr Rasool Bux Mahar welcomed the delegates. The delegates visited all the laboratories and facilities available in the Centre. During the visit, Dr Mahar briefed Mr Zaid Abuhouran, and the team about state-of-the-art laboratories and research work being conducted in the Advanced Water & Waste Water Quality Control Lab, Pilot Scale Water & Wastewater Treatment lab, Soil & Water Analysis Lab, Hydraulics Lab and GIS & Remote Sensing Lab.After the visit, the delegates had an interactive session with the faculty and management where Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad Aslam Uqaili welcomed the distinguished guests. During the session, Dr Mahar gave the presentation to the USAID Pakistan team and briefed them about the Masters and PhD programs being offered by the Centre and ongoing research projects. He said that the Centre is also providing high-quality training programs, consultancy and technical services to stakeholders. Further, he added, the Centre is still providing need-based scholarships and free accommodation for female students. The Centre has published more than 200 research papers in the National and International Impact factor journal. More than 40 alumni students are pursuing their PhD abroad among ten students who got the full-bright scholarship (PhD). The faculty members were also present in the interactive meeting with Mr Zaid Abuhouran, Deputy Education Director (USAID Pakistan) and the team.The Vice-Chancellor, MUET, Prof. Dr Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, said that the USAID funded this building and program and expressed gratitude to American People for their generous support. Further, he shared during the project; the Centre achieved all the sets targets and goals, now University is supporting the Centre and Scholars. The University is trying its best to provide more facilities to the students toward applied research. Further, he added, the Centre is producing water and environment engineers to bring positive change in the society. The Centre is providing the right and reliable data and has onboard faculty for the water policy.

Mr Zaid Abuhouran, Deputy Education Director (USAID Pakistan), appreciated the contribution of the Centre and its sustainability after the project. He said we need to see this University upward and acknowledged all the faculty members for their hard work. In the end, Vice-Chancellor MUET presented the souvenir to distinguished guests.

Mr Zaid Abuhouran, Deputy Education Director (USAID Pakistan) and his team also had an interactive session with the students’ beneficiaries of different universities under the USAID-Funded Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship. Deputy Education Director (USAID Pakistan), Mr Zaid Abuhouran answered the questions of the students. Pro-vice Chancellor, MUET, Prof. Dr Taha Hussain Ali, presented shields/souvenirs to the USAID Pakistan team. Faculty members and HEC officials were also present in the meeting with the students.