HYDERABAD/TANDOJAM — Bureau Report by Mehboob Hussain Buzdar: A Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) accreditation team has praised the academic environment, infrastructure, laboratories and educational facilities at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, following a detailed observational review of its Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology.
The team conducted an assessment of the B.E. Agricultural Engineering programme, including accreditation-related matters concerning the 2K22, 2K23, 2K24 and 2K26 batches.
Detailed Inspection of Facilities
The PEC accreditation team included Dr Adil Masood Siddiqui, Team Lead/Convener from NUST-MCS Rawalpindi; Dr Shakeel Ahmed, an expert from NISA Islamabad; Dr Syed Imran Ahmed, an expert from NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi; Dr Sajida Parveen, PEV Observer from Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology Nawabshah; and Engineer Subhan Javed, PEC Hyderabad representative.
During the visit, the team inspected various laboratories, workshops, libraries, classrooms and other academic and technical facilities.
Team members also interacted with students, faculty members and technical support staff to obtain information about the use of engineering equipment, software, digital applications and other educational resources available to students.
The accreditation team reviewed the programme’s academic progress, implementation of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), infrastructure and laboratory facilities, student support services and ongoing measures aimed at further strengthening the B.E. Agricultural Engineering programme.
Appreciation for Academic and Laboratory Facilities
An concluding meeting was held at the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat on the final day of the visit, chaired by Vice Chancellor Engineer Professor Dr Altaf Ali Sial.
During the meeting, the PEC team appreciated the university’s academic and laboratory facilities, infrastructure and educational resources available to students.
The team also praised the university’s efforts to promote quality engineering education, implement Outcome-Based Education and continuously improve academic and physical facilities in accordance with PEC standards.
The accreditation team particularly appreciated the university’s relatively low tuition fees, noting that affordable access to quality higher education provides greater opportunities for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly those from rural areas, to pursue professional engineering education.
Recommendations for Further Improvement
The team leader also presented several recommendations aimed at further strengthening the programme.
These included more effective implementation and documentation of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs), expansion of online education systems and stronger links with industry.
The team also recommended effective use of digital laboratories with support from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), greater digitalization of academic and administrative processes, introduction of paperless systems and biometric attendance, and development of updated curricula aligned with modern technologies and industrial requirements.
University Committed to Modernization
Addressing the concluding session, Vice Chancellor Engineer Professor Dr Altaf Ali Sial said several initiatives were underway to transform Sindh Agriculture University into a modern, technology-driven and student-focused institution.
He said academic quality, digitalization, research, innovation and preparing students for employment were being given particular importance.
The Vice Chancellor said the university had established contacts with relevant institutions for the development and updating of modern curricula.
He added that the university was further strengthening Outcome-Based Education across its academic programmes while focusing on improving laboratories and research facilities, promoting digital educational resources and strengthening collaboration among universities, industries and relevant professional organizations.
Faculty Participates in Discussions
The concluding meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Engineer Professor Dr Munir Ahmed Mangrio, along with Engineer Professor Dr Mashooq Ali Talpur, Engineer Professor Dr Irfan Ahmed Sheikh, Engineer Dr Muhammad Sohail Memon, Engineer Zaheer Ahmed Khan and other faculty members.
The faculty members held detailed discussions with the PEC accreditation team regarding academic standards, programme development, laboratory facilities and future measures to further improve the Agricultural Engineering programme.
The visit concluded with appreciation from the accreditation team for the university’s existing facilities and efforts toward improving the quality and accessibility of professional engineering education.
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