Business education: ‘Business schools must attract women students’

The event was inaugurated by Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood and Harkenrider


Ammar Sheikh February 17, 2016
The event was inaugurated by Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood and Harkenrider. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE:


“The link between education and economic prosperity cannot be denied. National governments should consider collaboration in research. The partnership between Pakistan and United States should be strengthened in this regard,” US Consul General in Lahore Zachary Harkenrider on Wednesday.


He was addressing the Third Deans and Directors Conference at a local hotel. Representatives of scores of national and international universities participated in the conference.

Industry representatives also shared their research on business education in the 21st century.

The two-day event titled Strengthening Business Schools through Partnerships was organised by the National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC), Higher Education Commission (HEC).

It was inaugurated by Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood and Harkenrider.

Harkenrider said bilateral education exchange was linked to economic development and trade. He said efforts were needed to encourage women intake at business schools.

He said their participation in industrial sector was also vital. He said he was looking forward to partnership opportunities between US and Pakistan in this regard.

The education minister said the Punjab government had invested billions of rupees in education.

“The government is aware that business education plays on important role in development. We must pool our resources for promotion of education,” he said.

The event included various workshops and sessions on topics related to business studies in the country. Workshops on faculty development seminars, research techniques and policy-related issues were discussed during the first day of the conference.

As many as 170 business schools of Pakistan participated in the event. Representatives from business schools of Canada, Russia, Malaysia, Belgium, United States, France and Germany also participated in the event.

Talking to The Express Tribune, NBEAC Programme Director Ehtesham Ali Raja said the purpose of the event was to bring together heads of business schools and share their experiences.

“In Pakistan, most universities with business administration programmes are participating. This event has provided them a platform to learn.

The larger goal is to improve teaching.”

He said the participants, especially those from international universities, had provided insights into teaching methodologies and research approaches which could be useful for teachers in Pakistan.

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Project Director Christophe Terrasse gave a detailed presentation titled Importance of Global Citizenship of Students and Faculty.

He highlighted implications of internationalisation of education and suggested strategies for improving the education system using a global approach.

Former State Bank of Pakistan governor Ishrat Hussain took part in one of the question-answer session. He said that only through proper planning, review, involvement of stakeholders and accountability, the business education sector could prosper.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th,  2016.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ