ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission and the British Council Pakistan on Thursday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the two organizations in the field of higher education and research.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Executive Director HEC and Mr. Peter Upton, Country Director, British Council Pakistan. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, presided over the ceremony held at HEC Secretariat. The LoI relates to Internationalizing Higher Education Partnership Programme.
The partnership will cover Knowledge Exchange Programme, Leadership Programme, Policy Dialogue, Transforming English Language Skills, Researchers Links Initiative, Inspire Transnational Education Partnerships, Quality Assurance Training Programmes for University Quality Enhancement Cells, International Training on Advocacy for Greater Public Ownership of HE Sector, Outreach and Networking, Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Scheme for Women, British Council Citizenship Education and Community Participation Programme, Training on Data Collection, Surveys & Dissemination of HEIs Statistics, Higher Education Reforms: the Way Forward, and the Programme Based Budget for Three Years: June 2014 to June 2017.
All specified activities are intended to be completed within a period of three years, by June 2017. However, it is expected that desired outcomes are achieved for the Knowledge Exchange (KE) partnerships, English Language Programme, Leadership Programme and Policy Dialogue continue in future.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Peter Upton said that it was heartening to note that partnership of HEC and British Council has a 10-year long history and both the organizations are committed not only to further promote existing programme but take initiatives for development of higher education sector.
Higher education is the means through which real socio-economic change can be brought about. Pakistan has an excellent human capital and HEC's efforts to tap on this capital are inspiring for others in the region. We have always valued our partnership with HEC and are looking forward to deepen this relationship.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said whatever HEC has achieved since its establishment would not have been possible without support from its partners like British Council.Our working relationship had a humble start in 2004 with launch of linkages programme, which has now spread into a number of different projects for uplift of Pakistan's higher education sector,he said.
He appreciated the continuous interest of the British Council for promoting the cause of higher education in Pakistan. ?our joint initiatives have benefitted faculty, researchers and management staff of our universities. Around 70 percent of Vice Chancellors of have visited UK for professional development programmes. A number of good joint research projects have been initiated between researchers and institutions of both the countries.
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