Convocation: Overhaul traditional system at universities, says Khosa
Promotion of research and development stressed.
Universities should overhaul the traditional academic system and increase the rate of enrollment in higher education. This was stated by Punjab Governor Latif Khosa here on Tuesday, said a press release issued by the Directorate of Public Relations.
He said universities must change the system and promote research and development to match with the requirements of the modern world. The reliance on indigenous expertise and consultants in development projects should be increased and dependence on foreign consultancies decreased. This can only happen if we ensure quality education and research, along with increasing opportunities for graduates for higher education, he said.
Khosa was speaking at the 10th convocation of University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Taxila at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad on Tuesday.
In higher education, collaboration and partnerships have created constellations of quasi-education institutions, which has increased the possibilities to convert knowledge and innovative ideas into commercial undertakings.
He said that technology parks are increasingly being created and clustered around credible universities and research outfits are being populated by young entrepreneurs. He said that all universities and particularly engineering universities should focus on education, training relevant to the national needs and our higher education should be targeted to the national development priorities and our human resource development efforts.
Earlier, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairperson Dr Javed Leghari said that HEC was focusing on quality education and research in the universities. Moreover, the commission aims to increase the number of university students up to 10 per cent by 2015 and 15 per cent by 2020.
He added universities in Pakistan are now producing 800 PhDs annually, while 4,600 research publications have been published at international level and two universities have been included in top 300 universities of the world. He said that government was also endeavouring to enhance resources for higher education in the country.
UET Taxila Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Abbas Ch, in his address, highlighted the academic achievements of the PhD, Masters and Bachelor Degrees graduates and facilities of research and education at the university.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.