ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) is planning to launch joint ventures with local universities for capacity building of its academies and imparting technical training to the railways staff.
“The railway is working on a number of steps to improve performance and capacity building of its staff that aims at ensuring safe and smooth operations of the national fleet,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.
He said that PR has taken several steps to increase capacity of its institutions and academies including up-gradation of the Pakistan Railway Academy, Walton, by setting up a separate wing for Pakistan Railways Research and Development Centre (PRRDC).
Development and introduction of various teaching modules comprising foundation level and skill level courses for all railway disciplines, including traffic and commercial department, mechanical engineering department, civil engineering department, signal and telecom engineering department, electrical engineering department, he added.
The official said that up-gradation of complete infrastructure, including buildings, equipment, laboratories and field testing facilities under the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said that agreements for technical collaboration with Korean Rail Road Research Institute (KRRI) and Chinese Training Institutes are being explored.
To improve the performance of Technical Training Centre, Karachi, he said that the Pakistan Railways has introduced a state-of-the-art conference room equipped with latest gadgets and improved seating arrangements.
He said the railways repaired and upgraded the building of technical training centre and replaced the old engine models with new ones for a demonstration before trainees.
Pakistan Railways has improved the performance of its Police Training School, Walton Lahore, adding that a proposal is under process to up-grade the post of DSP/Principal (BS-17) to SP/Principal (BS-18).
He said that an MoU has been signed last year between International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Programme (ICITAP) and Pakistan Railways Police through the Ministry of Railways and Economic Affairs Division, according to which ICITAP agreed to spend $ 6,77,000 for upgradation of Railway Police Training School.
To question, he said at present four institutions and academies, including Pakistan Railways Academy, Walton, Lahore; Apprentice Training Centre, Moghalpura, Lahore; Technical Training Centre, Karachi Cantt; and Lahore’s Pakistan Railways Police Training School, are working under the ministry for capacity building of its employees.
