The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is in the process of developing the federal capital into ‘Education City’ as negotiations are on with the local as well as international education’s institutes, having interested to establish their campus in enclave.

“We have invited the education institutes. Some of them have come up with their plans while several others have interested to set up their campuses and research centers here,” CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi told this news agency.

He said the universities including Agha Khan University, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute and two other universities of international repute have approached the Authority and expressed their interest in establishing their campuses in the Education City as the federal capital was facing the dearth of land for the purpose.

He hoped for a positive response from universities and foresaw a tough competition for allotment of land, adding that it was likely that international tenders may be invited for the purpose.

He said the Authority had identified two huge strips of land falling near Shakarparian and Kuri Road and one of them would be selected by the CDA Board shortly.

“We want to make the federal capital as educational hub. The City would be developed on public-private partnership,” said CDA Chairman.

The concept of Education City has been derived from developed countries where such cities are serving well since years as Dubai Knowledge Village, Education City Qatar, Education City UK, Kuala Lumpur Education City and Hong Kong Education City.

“Education City aims to be the center of educational excellence in the region, instructing students in fields of education. It is also conceived as a forum where universities share research and forge relationships with businesses and institutions in public and private sectors,” said Imtiaz Inayat Elahi.

Besides educational campuses, land would also be specified for the construction of hostels for the students as well as teachers and other professionals as presently, the students and professionals avoid coming Islamabad just owing to the residential issues.

Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said the Authority has also got the consent of the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in this regard who has applauded the idea and assured cooperation.

He said the Authority is also planning to establish its own educational institutions in the City where students would be provided education of international standard to bring them at par with those of other institutes.

Recently, in a meeting, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has also asked the Education Task Force to develop Islamabad as model city regarding education as the city is represented by all the provinces and regions of Pakistan.