HEDP body wants to involve stakeholders in policymaking

Steering committee approves the work plan and operation manual

ISLAMABAD: The key body of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) on Friday recommended involving the relevant stakeholders in developing criteria, crafting policies and training even as it approved a work plan and an operation manual.

This was decided as the first-ever meeting of HEDP’s steering committee was held on Friday. A statement issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) said that per the government's Vision 2025, there is a need to improve teaching and learning along with strengthening governance in the higher education sector.

Chaired by HEC Executive Director Dr Fateh Marri, the meeting was attended by members comprising provincial higher education departments (HEDs), vice-chancellors of different universities and representatives of different ministries.

Dr Marri welcomed the members and informed them about the project’s objectives. The steering committee was also briefed about the background and details of the project by Fazal Abbas Maken.

He said that HEDP had also been formulated to achieve the objectives outlined in HEC Vision 2025, and that the project's life was just 60 months. The project objectives will be achieved through five components, which involve different sets of development activities focusing on teaching, use of technology, and collaboration in research.

Afterwards, the component owners briefed the committee about the set of activities planned for the next 18 months.

The vice-chancellors appreciated the HEC’s efforts and assured their active participation in project activities. The committee approved the work plan and operation manual with a recommendation to involve stakeholders for developing criteria, policies, and designing training.

The executive director appreciated the active participation of the steering committee members and expected that the project team would be guided by the committee for achieving its objectives.

Federal Education Ministry Secretary Dr Sajid Ali Yousifani appreciated the launch of this project by HEC and underlined the need for consistent efforts to ensure the provision of quality education, through integrating technology in teaching, learning, and research. APP