Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood said on Saturday that instead of establishing more universities in the country we should focus on enhancing the quality of education at the existing universities. He was speaking at a ceremony held by Lahore School of Economics to launch a book titled 'Successful Women Educators and Human Development in Punjab 1974-2007' written by Dr Sabiha Mansoor. Dr Fareeha Zafar, former principal National College of Arts Saleema Hashmi, Chairperson Beacon House, Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri, chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women Khawar Mumtaz, and president SOS Children's Village Pakistan Suraiya Anwar also spoke on the occasion.
Shafqat admitted that education sector was badly ignored in the past. He also said that he had directed the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to focus on maintaining the standards of higher education institutions of the country. He said the government is trying to craft a single national curriculum for the public, private and madaris students. "A large number of out-of-school children are between 10-16 years of age. We should promote skill-based education in the country so that students can get jobs." He further said we should promote culture of research in the country.
Lahore School of Economics Rector Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry said LSE has been a great admirer of women as more than 80 percent our faculty and staff consist of them. Successful Women Educators and Human Development in Punjab 1974-2007 is a deftly written book that is not only important for educationists and academic researchers but is also equally significant for historians because it talks about strong women who have dedicated their lives to educating the nation since 1947. This book highlights the role women have played in promoting women's empowerment through education from 1947 onward.