'Knowledge Corridor': over 10,000 scholars get enrolment in top US varsities within 10 years: Ahsan

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that Pak-US Knowledge Corridor is one of the most significant initiatives in the entire diplomatic history of Pakistan and USA, and vowed to facilitate as many as 10,000 talented Pakistani scholars for enrolment in the top US universities in next 10 years.
He was exchanging his views during a meeting with the Dy. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Angela Aggeler along with US Ambassador David Hale here in Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform.
"Pakistan highly values its relations with the US," the minister said in his welcoming remarks. He stated that US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor is the most important initiative taken in decades-long strategic relations between the two countries and it has all potential to further promote the people-to-people relations.
Ahsan Iqbal said that government of Pakistan is committed to expand mutual cooperation with the USA government in the sectors which bring socio-economic benefits and well being of the region. The minister was of the view that the Knowledge Corridor is the key to achieve the agenda of Pakistan Vision 2025 for transforming the country into knowledge economy.
He said both countries would have to further promote mutual cooperation to deal the challenge of poverty, economic imbalance and social injustice. The 10,000 PhDs educated in the best USA would give spectacular results said by the minister. He said that government is committed to increase access to higher education and for that purpose sub-campuses and virtual campuses are being established at district level so as to enable aspiring students to gain higher education at their doorsteps.
The minister maintained that US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor is flagship project to strengthen ties between Pakistan and the United States. He said Pakistani women are playing significant role in boosting up the state economy of the country and thereby the PML-N government is committed to increase their involvement in public sector against key positions and create sustainable working conditions to maximum level. The minister further said that Pakistan Engineering Council is also developing a programme for female engineers by virtue of which they would be able to contribute and work right from their homes.
The minister informed the delegation that HEC and Pakistan Engineering Council are also working together on start up cup initiative to encourage young entrepreneurs. He said that HEC has already entrusted talent hunt task to the vice chancellors and deans concerned.
Meanwhile, Ahsan Iqbal held a meeting with the President Azad Jamu and Kashmir Masood khan and discussed the progress on various ongoing development projects in AJK. He stressed to develop Azad Kashmir as model of development and said that there is dire need to make master plan for the AJK to attract tourists.-PR