History
The establishment of an institution of higher learning in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remained
the long-standing demand of the people of this region. The plan for establishing a University of international standard in
erstwhile FATA was finally conceived when the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani announced its establishment
during a meeting with MNAs from erstwhile FATA on January 16, 2009. However, the project was delayed due to a number of reasons until
the former President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, approved the FATA University Regulations in May 2013. Afterwards, Government of Pakistan
included a project titled “Establishment of FATA University” in PSDP (HEC) 2015-16 at an estimated cost of Rs.4.7 billion which be
utilized in the completion of full-fledged university in various phases in future..
In the meanwhile, erstwhile FATA Secretariat and Ministry of SAFRON started the process of appointment of the Vice Chancellor.
The search committee constituted for the purpose interviewed, the shortlisted candidates and recommended a panel of three names
for the consideration of the then Chancellor/Governor KP, Mr. Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi. The Notification for the appointment of
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tahir Shah (T.I.) as the first Vice Chancellor of the University, after the approval of the Chancellor was issued
vide erstwhile FATA Secretariat Notification No. PS/E/100-96 (Vol-10) / 412-24, dated 13-01-2016 and the newly appointed Vice Chancellor
assumed the charge of his office on January 18, 2016.
Soon after assuming charge, the Vice Chancellor started his activities in his camp office established in the National Centre
of Excellence in Geology (NCEG), University of Peshawar where he was the Director before starting the new assignment.
The faculty and staff of the NCEG extended full support in the routine matters to the VC and also the facilities of the
NCEG were used in the initial stages which are highly appreciated. The Vice Chancellor started work on the preparation of
the two PC-1s for obtaining funding for the smooth running of the affairs of the university.
A PC-1 titled “Establishment of FATA University” was approved by the CDWP in April 2016 at a cost of Rs. 1.593 billion.
This project includes Infrastructure Development, Human Resource Development and Procurement of equipment, furniture etc.
Another project titled “Establishment of Project Management Unit (PMU)” for FATA University was approved by FDWP at a cost of Rs.31.488 million.
However, the scheme was revised and approved at a revised cost of Rs. 40.008 million by the FDWP in April, 2016. Accordingly,
the PMU has been established in a portion of Government Degree College, Darra Adam Khel which is responsible for the
infrastructure development of the university.
In this way the university development process got momentum and in a very short span of time the university started its academics.
In October 2016, initially the academic activities in the university were launched four years bachelor (BS) program in Management Sciences,
Political Science, Sociology and Mathematics while three more disciplines such as Computer Science, Geology and English were
started in September, 2017.
The full-fledged university will be completed in various phases. The erstwhile FATA Secretariat, in consultation with
the parliamentarians of erstwhile FATA, purchased land measuring 266 kanals at Akhurwal, Tribal Su-Division (TDS) Darra Adam Khel,
District Kohat through a development project approved by FDWP. The Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, during
his visit to the university directed for the purchase of additional land in view of the university’s future requirements.
The scheme for the procurement of 202 kanal, contiguous to the already purchased land was approved as a non-ADP scheme at FDWP
level at a total cost of Rs.141.4 million. The demarcation of 468 kanal land has been made and consequently the purchase of
land has been finalized after solving the several disputes with the land owners .
The University is currently housed in a separate block of the Darra Adam Khel Degree College.
However, the existing building and infrastructure does not suffice the research and academic requirements of the university.
The construction of the new buildings and provision of research facilities require space to meet the necessary requirements.
The university has hired a Consultant Firm for the Master Planning and Detailed Designing of the university future infrastructure development.
The Technical Review Committee of the Higher Education Commission has already approved the Master Plan of FATA University and the process
of Pre-qualification of the Construction firms has been completed. The Civil work has been divided into seven packages.
Well-known Construction Firms have already been shortlisted and the work orders have been placed for the construction of all the seven packages.
These packages are: Package-1 (Construction of Boundary wall, watch towers, Security office etc.); Package-2
(Tube wells and 50000 gallon Overhead Tank); Package-3 (Two Academic Blocks); Package-4
(Two students and one Bachelor Hostels); Package-5 (Administration Block, Central Library,
Common facilities and Gymnasium); Package-6 (Faculty & Staff Housing); Package-7
(External development including road and pavements, sewage, reclamation of land, plantation, underground water system and
electrification, solar system etc.)
Future Plan
The infrastructure of the FATA University and the Administrative and Academic requirements in more than six faculties as per FATA University
Regulations 2013 will be completed in different phases. In the first phase a limited infrastructure and Academic programs will be
completed within 5 years with the estimated cost of about Rs. 1.6 billion under the present PC-1 scheme. However, the completion of Academic
Programs under the FATA University Regulations 2013, will take place under different phases in future with the estimated cost of more than 4.7 billion.
Under the approved PC-1 Scheme, the following activities will be accomplished during the next 5 years:
• Hiring of highly qualified faculty and staff
• Establishment of Infrastructure according to approved Master Plan.
• Sending of 20 faculty members on foreign Ph.D. scholarships
• Establishment of state of the art labs in Computer Science & IT, Biotechnology, Electronics, Chemistry, Physics and Geology Disciplines
• Establishment of Post graduate (M.Phil & Ph.D) programs
• Enhancing the Research capabilities of the faculty and students
• Affiliation of all the Colleges of Tribal Districts
• Establishment of Sub-campuses in other Tribal Districts
• Preparation and submission of 2nd Phase 5 years PC-1 to HEC & PCP during the 5th year of this project.