PESHAWAR, Jan 9: The management of University of Peshawar (UoP) has decided to set up a quick response force and monitor movement of suspected elements on the campus owing to the prevailing security situation.

The UoP vice-chancellor, staff and students during a meeting discussed security situation on the campus and decided to install close circuit cameras at designated places within sections and academic units of the university, said a press release.

Besides, the contact numbers of the newly established central control room at UoP were also communicated to the students with the directions to report to it any suspicious movement on the campus. The meeting decided that gates of university hostels would be closed at 11pm sharp.

It is pertinent to mention here that few days ago two incidents of terrorism -- a blast in geology department and another in administrative block -- had exposed the security arrangements at the public sector university.

The release said that the quick response force would look into any extraordinary situation on the campus. The force would work under the office of provost to maintain good order within university hostels specifically.

The meeting was actually held to launch the digitalised website of UoP but security situation on the campus was also discussed in it, the release added. The meeting decided to sensitise students about the prevailing circumstances and get their support in maintaining conducive study environment on the campus.

The release said that displaying chest cards would be mandatory for students for their identification and maintaining record of entry and exit of guests to and from hostels, departments and units at UoP.

The meeting, chaired by UoP Vice-chancellor Dr Qibla Ayaz, was told that focal persons of all departments and administrative units were asked to update the website on regular basis.

Raja Inayatullah, in-charge of IT department, said that curriculum vitae of faculty members, examination schedule, results, recruitment forms and other relevant material would be available on the website for easy access of general public.

He urged the focal persons to update regularly relevant information of their departments concerned.

The oath taking ceremony of 13 student societies of UoP was also held on the occasion. Dr Qibla Ayaz administered oath to the newly elected office-bearers of the societies.

He also announced Rs1 million annual grant for the activities of the societies and approved establishment of two new societies.

The director of Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management, Prof Amir Nawaz Khan, gave a presentation to the participants of the meeting on emergency response management. — Bureau Report