View source for Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences

{{Short description|Public university in Islamabad, Pakistan}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences
 | native_name            = {{nq|پاکستان انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف انجینئرنگ اینڈ اپلائیڈ سائنسز}}
 | image_name             = PIEAS_Logo.jpg
 | image_size             = 150px
 | established            = 1997
 | type                   = [[Public college|Public]]
 | founder                = Inam-ur-Rehman
 | chancellor             = [[President of Pakistan]]
 | rector                 = Naseem Irfan
 | faculty                = 170+ including 150+ PhDs
 | administrative_staff   = 550+
 | students               = 2000+
 | undergrad              = 1400
 | postgrad               = 500+
 | doctoral               = 100+
 | city                   = [[Islamabad]]
 | country                = [[Pakistan]]
 | coor                   = {{Coord|33|39|22|N|73|15|52|E|display=inline,title|type:edu}}
 | campus                 = [[Urban area|Urban]], 312+ acres
 | other_name             = PIEAS
 | former_names           = Centre for Nuclear Studies (CNS) (1976-1997)<br />Reactor School (1967-1976)
 | colours                = [[Green|Dark green]], [[white]] and [[Blue|sky blue]]<br />{{color box|#177245}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#87CEEB}}
 | affiliations           = [[Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission|PAEC]], [[Higher Education Commission of Pakistan|HEC]], [[Pakistan Engineering Council|PEC]]
 | endowment              = Patron: Iqbal Kaiser
 | website                = {{URL|http://www.pieas.edu.pk/}}
 | logo                   = [[File:PIEAS.png|nothumb|200px]]
}}
The '''Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences''' ('''PIEAS'''), ({{nq|پاکستان انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف انجینئرنگ اینڈ اپلائیڈ سائنسز}}) is a [[Public college|public]] [[research university]] located in [[Islamabad]], [[Pakistan]]. The university is modelled on international standards with a strong focus on the scientific advancement of the [[Nuclear Science|nuclear science]]-related [[Science, technology, engineering and mathematics|STEM]] fields.<ref>{{cite web |title=PIEAS Departments |url=http://www.pieas.edu.pk/departments.cshtml |website=www.pieas.edu.pk |access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref>

Founded in 1967 as ''Reactor School'' from the sponsorship of the [[Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission]] in response to support and manage the [[Nuclear power in Pakistan|nuclear energy]] infrastructure in the country, the institute started its educational activities with the affiliation of [[Quaid-e-Azam University]], and became ''Centre for Nuclear Studies'' (CNS) in 1976— the center gained its new name and became independent as public university in 1997. In 2000, the PIEAS was granted the status of a doctorate degree awarding institute. PIEAS is based on a {{convert|150|acre|km2 sqmi}} campus and has around 135 full-time faculty members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pieas.edu.pk/about/profile.cshtml|title=About PIEAS|publisher=PIEAS Official Website|access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref>

As of 2017, Higher Education Commission rated PIEAS [[Rankings of universities in Pakistan|as the 1st]] leading engineering university in Pakistan.<ref name="HEC Category">{{cite web|url=http://www.hec.gov.pk/INSIDEHEC/DIVISIONS/QALI/OTHERS/RANKINGOFUNIVERSITIES/Pages/CategoryWise.aspx#|title=Category wise ranking of universities|work=HEC Category: HEC Ranking|publisher=HEC Official Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113082754/http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/Others/RankingofUniversities/Pages/CategoryWise.aspx|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=30 October 2012}}</ref> The [[QS World University Rankings]] ranked it as 390th worldwide while QS Asia University Rankings ranked it as 3rd in Pakistan, 189th overall in Asia in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2022&ved=2ahUKEwjMnsnA3vP6AhUCqpUCHQ8oC0YQFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0r9nq6MiPDjtPjIdutOjvo |access-date=2022-10-22 |title=QS Asia University Rankings 2022}}</ref> It is ranked 47th in QS top 50 under 50.

==History==

In 1967, the institute was found and established as the ''Reactor School'' by [[Ishrat Hussain Usmani|I. H. Usmani]] who put the administrative management of the school under the [[Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission]] (PAEC)— the school was originally aimed towards providing technical training to support Pakistan's nuclear energy infrastructure.<ref name="PIEAS Genesis">{{cite news|last=PIEAS Genesis|title=PIEAS Genesis|url=http://www.pieas.edu.pk/about/genesis.php|newspaper=PIEAS Genesis|access-date=21 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805100410/http://www.pieas.edu.pk/about/genesis.php|archive-date=5 August 2012}}</ref> The first college classes were offered in a lecture auditorium at the [[Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology]] (PINSTECH), and had only one faculty member Dr. Inam-ur-Rehman from the [[Mississippi State University]] to teach courses in engineering.<ref name="PIEAS Genesis"/> Its training program was very limited in its scope apart from teaching basics in engineering and the institute itself was housed in a 625 [[Square footage|sq.ft]]– the auditorium of the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology.<ref name="Memorial Speech, Rehman, Inamur, 2007">{{cite web |last1=Rehman |first1=Inam-ur- |title=Munir Ahmad Khan Memorial Reference |publisher=Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology |date=28 April 2007 |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2004-5/index.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528232903/http://www.defencejournal.com/2004-5/index.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |location=Islamabad |language=en-us}}</ref>

The ''Reactor School'' received much greater attention from [[Munir Ahmad Khan]] who instituted the fellowship program in 1972, inviting the science and engineering graduates to compete for the award of attractive fellowships for the duration of the course.<ref name="PIEAS Genesis"/> It was Khan who lobbied to the government to secure funding to move the ''Reactor School'' from Nilore to Islamabad.<ref name="Memorial Speech, Rehman, Inamur, 2007"/> In 1976, the  ''Reactor School'' was renamed as '''Centre for Nuclear Studies''' (CNS) as Khan and Rehman were the first to serve on its original faculty and painstakingly instituting the engineering education program by building the criteria for the [[Bachelor's degree|bachelorette]] and [[master's degree]] programs offered in engineering and physical sciences.<ref name="Memorial Speech, Rehman, Inamur, 2007"/>

In 1989, the degree program in medicines and the doctoral program in engineering and physical sciences was established in 1990.<ref name="Memorial Speech, Rehman, Inamur, 2007"/> Due to enhancements in its infrastructure that created the capability for offering programs in many different fields of science, its name was changed to Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) in 1997— the year when the Institute of Applied Sciences was granted its status as [[Public Universities in Pakistan|public research university]].<ref name="Nuclear Files"/> Today, PIEAS is a multi-faceted, degree-awarding university-level educational institution, with academic and training programmes being conducted at the highest level in a broad spectrum of disciplines.
.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pieas.edu.pk/about/genesis.php | access-date = 18 January 2011 | publisher = PIEAS | title = Genesis | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120805100410/http://www.pieas.edu.pk/about/genesis.php | archive-date = 5 August 2012 }}</ref><ref name="PIEAS Genesis"/>
{{rquote|centre|...I have learnt that CNS has been renamed as PIEAS and is becoming a University. I am sure that one day, it will emerge as the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] of Pakistan...|Munir Ahmed Khan, speaking at the Chagai Medal Award Ceremony at [[PINSTECH]] Auditorium, March 20, 1999<ref name="Nuclear Files">{{cite web|url=http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/issues/policy/pakistani-nuclear-policy/munir%20ahmad%20khan%27s%20speech.html |title=Nuclear Files: Munir Ahmad Khan on PIEAS, 1999 |access-date=March 22, 2007}}</ref>}}

== Campus ==
[[File:PIEAS Auditorium.jpg|thumb|PIEAS Auditorium]]
The PIEAS campus is sprawled over an area of about 360 acres. The physical structure comprises nine academic blocks, eight workshops, production plants for liquid nitrogen and oxygen, 30 laboratories, lecture halls, a video-conferencing facility, conference rooms, and a 400-seat auditorium.

A state-of-the-art computer center with 200 computers provides computational facilities around the clock, seven days a week. PIEAS is an associate of PERN network and has access to HEC Digital Library that can be accessed from any one of the 1500 nodes of PIEAS Local Area Network. Internet facilities are available even in student hostels. The PIEAS library holds a repository of more than 15000 artifacts and it also subscribes to both technical and academic journals. PIEAS Library has extended hours to facilitate students' access A new library block is under construction.

===Residential facilities===

PIEAS provides hostel facilities for both female and male students. Most students stay there. There are eight hostel blocks including a separate female hostel, No profit no loss mess, canteen, fitness centre, rest-house, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.  A post office, bank and shops for commonly required items are available in the vicinity. A mosque is a recent addition and it is Large.

==Academics==
The current major areas of academic and technical activities available at the institute are Computer and Control Systems, Applied Electronics, Applied Mathematics & Numerical Analysis, Analytical Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science & Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Radiation Physics, Optics & Laser Physics, Polymer Laboratory and Nuclear Medicine.

Although PIEAS offers BS, MS, M Phil and PhD degree programs, the postgraduate degree programs dominate. In addition to the degree programs, PIEAS also offers specialized short courses to engineers, scientists and other professionals for their continuing professional development. The length of these courses vary from 2 to 18 months, and the areas covered have included reactor supervision and operation, health physics, medical physics, laser technology, vacuum technology, computer applications advanced reactor safety and management sciences.

===Degree programs===
The disciplines and the degree programs offered by PIEAS have been tabulated below. The regular duration of BS and MS / M Phil degree programs is four and two years, respectively.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:210px; text-align:center;" | Discipline
! colspan="3" style="width:210px;" | Degree program
|-
! BS
! MS / M Phil
! Ph.D.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Chemical Engineering
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Chemistry
| 
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Computer & Information Sciences
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Electrical Engineering
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Mechanical Engineering
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Medical Sciences
| 
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Metallurgy & Materials Engineering
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Nuclear Engineering
| 
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Physics & Applied Mathematics
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
| {{y}}
|}

===Faculty===

PIEAS has around 135 full-time faculty members in the diverse fields of physical sciences, engineering and medicine. 95 of them have PhD degrees from highly reputed institutions in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, China, Japan, Austria and Australia. Another 25 faculty members were expected to complete their PhD studies during 2013 and 2014. PIEAS faculty members have published more than 650 papers in international journals and have been decorated with 3 Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 2 Tamgha-i-Imatiaz, 3 President's Pride of Performance, 1 President's Medal for Technology, 1 Aizaaz-e-Kamal, 3 Aizaaz-e-Fazeelat, and 9 Best Teacher Awards.

===Research and industrial liaison===

PIEAS is a multifaceted educational institution, with academic and training programs conducted at the highest level in a broad spectrum of disciplines. These are complemented by an active R&D program, which now also extends to working on industry-related projects. In this context, several products of industrial use, like a PC-controlled drill machine, a PC-controlled milling machine, and robotic manipulators, have been developed. Specialized systems for educational purposes, such as a PC-controlled multi-variable tank, have also been supplied to various institutions. Currently there are more than 100 doctoral candidates registered in the PhD program in Nuclear Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Medicine and Computer Science.

===Rankings, honors and awards===

{{Infobox university rankings
| QS_W = 390 | QS_W_year = 2023 | QS_W_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022|title = QS World University Rankings 2022}}</ref>
| QS_Asia = 176 | QS_Asia_year = 2021 | QS_Asia_ref = <ref>[https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2021 QS Asian University Rankings 2021]</ref>
| QS_W_Under50 = 46 | QS_W_Under50_year = 2021 | QS_W_Under50_ref = <ref>[https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/top-50-under-50-next-50-under-50/qs-top-50-under-50-2021 QS Top 50 Under 50 University Rankings 2021]</ref>
}}

PIEAS's excellence was recognized on the national level when it was declared to be the best engineering university in Pakistan by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in its first ever ranking of universities in 2006. PIEAS retained this title in HEC's second ranking, carried out in 2012. The university was ranked as the top engineering institute of Pakistan by the HEC in the "engineering and technology" category, as of 2013.<ref name="HEC Category" /> QS World University Rankings ranked the institute top in Pakistan and 106th in Asia in 2014.<ref name="Rank">[http://www.topuniversities.com/node/3845/ranking-details/asian-university-rankings/2014 Rank]</ref> QS World University Rankings ranked the institute fifth in Pakistan and 146th in Asia in 2016. In 2017, according to PEC rankings, PIEAS tops the list.

PIEAS has active links with reputed universities in developed countries, which have been very helpful for the excellent development of PIEAS's PhD program.
Role of PIEAS during COVID is also notable
Pakistan institute of engineering and applied sciences with the help of POF made CORVENT named Ventilator.It was Pakistan's first indigenous developed ventilator

== Student life ==

=== Societies and clubs ===

There are zero functioning  societies presently working at PIEAS under SADiv. The main office bearers of these societies were elected from the student body. Nevertheless, links between the members of these societies and the corresponding in charge from faculty used to be maintained for coordination. These groups used to include PIEAS Performing Arts Society, PIEAS Literary Society, PIEAS Thematic Society, PIEAS Media Club, PIEAS Volunteer Society, Society for Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Leadership, PIEAS Debating Society, PIEAS Sportics Society and PIEAS Blood Donors Society. There were also a few sports clubs and student chapters of IEEE.

=== Annual events ===

==== NUKTA ====

Nukta used to be an annual inter-university event held under the collaboration of both PIEAS PERFORMING ARTS and PDS. It consisted of competitions in Dramatics, Shortfilms and Declamations. Six editions of Nukta had been held with NUKTA'19 being the latest.

=== Publications ===

PIEAS Literary Society has been writing quarterly newsletters by the name of ''Zeest'' since the fall of 2013 and yearly magazines by the name ''Dareecha'' since 2012. Both these publications are available in a PDF format from the official website of PIEAS,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.pieas.edu.pk/magazine/|title = PIEAS Official Website - Publications Page}}</ref> whereas only the annual magazine's hard copy is distributed among the students.

== Notable faculty==

The university's initial notable faculty included:
* Munir Ahmad Khan (former PAEC Chairman)<ref>{{cite news|title=Munir Ahmad Khan:The Real Father of Pakistan's Atomic Bomb|url=https://markthetruth.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/munir-ahmad-khan-the-real-father-of-pakistans-atomic-bomb/|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Masud Ahmad|Masood Ahmad]]
* [[Samar Mubarakmand]]

== See also ==
* [[Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission]]
* [[Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)|Higher Education Commission]]
* [[Pakistan Engineering Council]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.pieas.edu.pk/ PIEAS official website]
* [http://www.paec.gov.pk/ Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission official website]

{{Colleges and universities in Islamabad}}
{{Engineering schools in Pakistan}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences| ]]
[[Category:Constituent institutions of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1967]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Islamabad Capital Territory]]