Nurturing talent: 1,560 laptops distributed at Hazara University

HEC chairperson says varsity campuses will be set up across country

MANSEHRA: At least 1,560 laptops were distributed among students and researchers at Hazara University’s Garden Campus on Thursday.

The laptops were distributed by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed under the second phase of the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme.

During the ceremony, Ahmed said HEC is utilising resources to provide in higher education facilities to students in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Fata, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, southern Punjab and Baluchistan.

He added HEC is setting up university campuses across the country so that students can be part of a development agenda of the country by availing education, research and development opportunities.

“The youth of Pakistan constitutes 60% of the total population,” Ahmed said. “Pakistan has extraordinary talent and the government has launched various youth programmes to nurture this talent.”

He also drew attention to the role of youth in the country’s thriving computer industry. “The industry is not only providing the youth with employment but is saving billions in foreign exchange,” he added.

On the occasion, Rana Bilal, focal person for PM’s laptop scheme, also briefed participants about the selection criteria for the scheme, saying decisions are made on the basis of merit.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2016.