ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said all formalities for upgradation of Islamabad Model College for Girls F/7-2 to Women University, should be completed in September.
Chairing a meeting at Higher Education Commission (HEC) to review goals according to Vision 2025 he stressed the Government's vision in prioritizing the higher education sector to fulfil development goals, according to Vision 2025.
The meeting discussed plans for establishment of Federal Women University, National Skills University and establishment of Seerat Chairs in universities across Pakistan.
Baleegh-Ur-Rahman, Minister for Federal Education and Training and Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman Higher Education Commission were also present on the occasion.
He said that the importance of education and research cannot be stressed enough, adding that highest budget had been allocated for higher education sector in FY 2014-15.
The Minister recommended that by 2017-18, the medium term goals should be achieved which entailed setting up a university or its sub-campus in every district of the country, so that students desirous of acquiring higher education would be available at their doorstep.
He stressed that HEC should also ensure that access to higher education is increased without any compromise on quality.
Speaking about National Skills University, he said skills based training is a critical component of the national development.
The minister said the Skills University would provide better employability to the youth. "This university will also certify and accredit the skills programmes across the country that will enable youth to gain employment overseas."
The project to set up Seerat Chairs in various universities is also direly needed, which will be Centres of Excellence and each of these chairs will be dedicated for research in different subjects pertaining to the life of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) which may include leadership, gender issues, rights of minorities, etc.
Another project entitled "Technology Development Fund" also came under discussion. The Minister said that the project is aimed at ensuring that returning PhDs should not only teach, but also actively get involved in research in the relevant areas.
He also asked HEC to identify disciplines in which PhD scholarships will be offered in the next five years, stressing that disciplines that are directly related to country's society and economy.
The Minister directed HEC to complete all formalities related to all these projects in September.
Earlier, in his presentation, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC gave an overview of all these projects.
Comments
Comments are closed.