Council on policy, research launched
To address critical challenges for the academia and the education sector after the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, think-tanks and the academia have decided to come together under a joint venture.
Called the Council for the Advancement of Sustainable Policy, Education and Research (CASPER), the council was formally launched online on Thursday by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Allama Iqbal Open University AIOU).
The newly-formed platform includes several leading public and private sector universities and academic institutions. The council aims to find new and innovative solutions through collaborative efforts to improve the quality of research and to promote dialogue for the policies related to higher education in the country.
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AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ziaul Qayyum termed the initiative a landmark step towards greater collaboration amongst academic institutions in Pakistan.
“This forum will serve as a platform for the policy dialogue on higher education and resolve major issues that the universities and academia face in Pakistan,” he said, emphasising the need for every member to take ownership of the forum while focussing on collaboration and resolving issues. Earlier, SDPI Senior Policy Advisor Dr Shafqat Munir presented a detailed overview of the objectives and vision behind establishing CASPER. He said that the forum will provide a much-needed platform for learning, sharing and benefitting each other with the new knowledge and innovations.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2020.