Sargodha Institute of Technology

Sargodha Institute of Technology (SIT) was founded in 1959 to provide technical education to the children from the Christian villages of Josephabad and Mariakhel.{{Cite book|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198073857.001.0001/acref-9780198073857-e-0866|title=The Oxford Encyclopaedia of South Asian Christianity|first=Robinson|last=Daniel|date=January 20, 2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|via=www.oxfordreference.com|doi=10.1093/acref/9780198073857.001.0001/acref-9780198073857-e-0866}} Initially managed by German volunteers and funded by Misereor, a German agency aimed at combating hunger and poverty, SIT initially offered courses in carpentry, electronics, metalwork, and electricity.

Over time, SIT faced competition from other institutions offering longer, three-year training programs. In response, the institute, under new management and direction from the Bishop Anthony Theodore Lobo, extended its courses to three years. This change led to an increase in student enrollment. The institute provides scholarships to Catholic students, funded by the Diocese of Rawalpindi or the institute itself, and serves students from both Christian and Muslim communities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/7062187/Bishop-Anthony-Lobo-s-Silver-Jubilee-at-Islamabad|title=Bishop Anthony Lobo's Silver Jubilee at Islamabad | PDF | Ancient Mediterranean Religions | Christian Denominational Families|website=Scribd}}

In 2009, the SIT was amongst the Christian institutions the Taliban sent letters to warning Christian leaders to convert to Islam or face dire consequences.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20091016174755.htm|title=Assyrian International News Agency 10-16-2009}}

In 2010, the Principal was Robinson Daniel.[http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewarticles.php?editorialid=573 Pakistan Christian Post September 6, 2010] When he took over in 2002 there were 33 students. With the improvements he introduced in 2018 there were over 1000 students.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kreiszeitung.de/lokales/diepholz/bruchhausen-vilsen-ort52437/mit-chinesischen-preisen-koennen-nicht-mithalten-10229895.html|title=Pakistanischer Lehrer tauscht sich mit Entwicklungshelfer Meyer aus|date=September 11, 2018|website=www.kreiszeitung.de}}

In 2005, Robinson visited Germany financed by the Catholic aid organization Misereor. They also funded the purchase of new equipment. In addition he was able to ship back equipment donated from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The equipment in the institute had not been upgraded in over 40 years.

In 2019, the Catholic Church continues to subsidise the institute despite its financial difficulties.{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/29-Jun-2019/save-minority-places|title=Save minority places|date=June 28, 2019|website=The Nation}}

It offers diploma in the following trades:{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbte.edu.pk/onlineservices/AffiliationView.aspx|title = PBTE | Punjab Board of Technical Education, Lahore}}

• Electrical technology
• Mechanical technology
• Civil technology

Also offering short courses in:

• Office management
• Graphic design
• Web designing
• E-commerce
• Call center representative
• Auto cad
• Cad cam
• Technical School Certificate (TSC), also known as Matric Tech.

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• Rev. Fr. Gerard Verheij (MHM) (1958-1960)
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Van Erp (MHM) (1960-1962)
• Rev. Fr. Karel Heideman (MHM) (1962-1964)
• Rev. Fr. Clemens Van Pinxteren (MHM) (1964-1971)
• Rev. Fr. Ben Pex (MHM) (1971-1978)
• Rev. Fr. John Nevin (MHM) (1978-1980)
• Mr. Yousaf Malik (1980-2002)
• Mr. Robinson Daniel (2002-2018)
• Mr. Surmed Suleman (2018-2021)
• Mr. Rohail Younas (2021-2022)
• Rev. Fr. David John (2022-2023)
• Mr. Zeeshan Ilyas (2023-Present)

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Category:1959 establishments in Pakistan

Category:Vocational education in Pakistan

Category:Universities and colleges in Sargodha District