HEC must continue its functions for national integrity: Khosa

Speakers urge for more investment in higher education.

ISLAMABAD:

Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa on Thursday said Higher Education Commission (HEC) must continue to perform its functions for “national integration and prosperity as it has been doing for the last eight years”.

Addressing a national conference on `Setting Standard forthe 21st Century Pakistan’ arranged by HEC, he said the commission’s role has been instrumental in empowering universities to compete in the global community.

“The universities have the capability to provide industry-relevant courses and learning opportunities to students. By maintaining close links with industries, they can create and support innovation and development,” Latif Khosa added. Pakistani youth should be oriented in a manner that they can make their mark not only in the field of education but in sports and other activities as well, he added.

“We need to channelise their energies so that they are not made tools of terrorism,” he said.

Latif Khosa emphasised the need for professional training and strengthening of teaching practices to produce the right type of human resource and said that “HEC is the best platform to achieve this target”.

Chairperson HEC Dr Laghari emphasised that there is an urgent need of technology transfer by the universities. Lamenting that there was not enough money to support higher education in the country, he said in the developed world at least four percent of the GDP is allocated for education, out of which around 30 per cent goes to higher education. “If we want to move forward and stand tall in the comity of nations, there must be a higher percentage of allocation to education, especially higher education,” he said.

Speaking during the inaugural session of the conference, Coordinator General COMSTECH Dr Atta-ur-Rahman said only those countries of the world are progressing who have exploited their human resource and invested in education. Member Planning Commission Dr Samar Mubarakmand said Pakistan needs contribution from engineers and scientists to develop and refine the processes for conversion of coal gas to diesel and separation of copper, gold, silver and cobalt from ores through efficient means. He lauded the role of universities in producing competent scientists and researchers. The esteemed scientist was highly optimistic that the country would be on the way to progress through using its minerals resources.

He said the expansion of higher education is seen as a necessary condition for integration of national economies into an increasingly sophisticated and interconnected world economy.

Provincial Minister for Higher Education KPK Qazi Muhammad Asad Khan said there is a dire need for universities to understand their role seriously and develop such programmes and initiatives that directly support the government for increasing products and patents from Pakistan. Adviser to Prime Minister on Social Sector Shahnaz Wazir Ali said direct link between academia and industry should be developed for strategic planning and growth in the right direction.

Saleem Abbas Jilani (SSGC) Engr Muhammad Asghar (NUST), noted educationists and VCs of various universities were present onthe occasion. Later, the governor inaugurated an exhibition in which 32 universities showcased their projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2011.