Education pact: Universities ink cooperation agreement

Programmes have been devised to enhance skills of teachers

MULTAN: The Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan and the Allama Iqbal Open University have signed a five-year cooperation agreement to enhance mutual interest and understanding.

“It is essential to define a working relationship between educational institutions to foster cooperation in the field of education and research,” BZU spokesperson Prof Dr Abdul Quddus Sohaib said at the signing ceremony held on Wednesday.

While addressing the participants, he said the purpose of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was to provide a broad framework for cooperation between the two universities.

As part of the agreement, both universities will encourage direct contact and cooperation between their faculties and administrations. Both varsities will help each other in exchanging material on education, research, publications and academic information. Programmes have also been devised to enhance skills of teachers, imparting training and promoting language studies.

Initiatives on development of curriculum, academic programmes, exchange of information and innovation through research and exchange of administrative policies are also on the cards.

The BZU spokesperson said prior to implementing the decisions, the parties would discuss opportunities and challenges to identify and achieve the shared goals and objectives.

However, he claimed the agreement was non-binding and did not impose legal or financial obligations or liabilities on either side. “The MoU will remain in effect for five years and both parties may extend the agreement with mutual consent,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2016.