Experts term chemical engineering’s role pivotal for human society

The sustenance of modern civilisation hinges upon innovation in different areas of chemical engineering as there are vital problems in the domains of health, energy, and environment, which are challenging the very existence of modern communities, experts observed during a seminar held at the University of Karachi on Saturday.

They maintained that the whole world was anxiously looking towards innovation in various fields of chemical engineering to solve these problems.

“The problems being faced by scientists lie with efficient storage and transfer of energy, which can be addressed accordingly with the knowledge in chemical engineering,” said Professor Dr S F Rafeeqi, chairman of the Institute of Engineers while speaking at the annual conference organised by the Department of Chemical Engineering, KU, at the university campus.

Dr Shujjat Ahmed, senior process manager of the Pakistan Petroleum Ltd and Dr Mohammad Mansha, Suparco general manager, also spoke.

Dr Shagufta Ishteyaque, in-charge of the KU Chemical Engineering Department, informed the participants about history and future perspective of the department, which was established in 2004-05 as the Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology.

“In 2007, we started the chemical engineering programme and our first batch passed out in 2010 with the Pakistan Engineering Council accreditation for intake of 40 students.” 

Speaking on the occasion, the vice chancellor of the Dadabhoy Institute, Professor Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi, said the department of chemical engineering was first affiliated with the NED College and when the NED College received the status of a university, this department became dormant.

She mentioned that with the efforts of KU faculty members and alumni, the department again started its functions in 2007.

“When I took over as the dean faculty of science of the varsity, I made efforts to equip the departments with modern facilities required for the accreditation of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), which finally accredited the department in 2011 and degrees were awarded from the batch of 2007.”

PEC Chairman Engineer Inam Osmani expressed that that PEC would extend its full support to help the students of the department in getting suitable jobs in the industry.