Spreading excellence: Gilani hints at an Aitchison College in every province
Prime minister says country’s youth population isn’t necessarily a burden.
LAHORE:
During a speech at the Aitchison College’s 125th Founder’s Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani hinted at the possibility of establishing the prestigious institution in other provinces of the country.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, who is also the president of the Aitchison College Board of Governors, had earlier requested the premier to set up the college in the other three provincial headquarters, to acknowledge the services of the institute.
Gilani directed Governor Khosa to work on a plan to establish Aitchison colleges in the other three provincial headquarters and report back to him in this regard.
Meanwhile, Gilani encouraged the students to remain optimistic and prepare themselves well to meet challenges. “Treat difficulties as challenges. Extremist forces seek to snatch our values. We have to inculcate values of respect and nationalism in our students,” he said. “I would like to quote Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto who said, ‘An inferior idea can be killed by a superior idea only’,” he added.
The premier further said that according to the 18th Amendment, every child in Pakistan should be educated and added that the target to enroll children in primary schools should be completed by 2015 to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
He said that the Chinese model had proved that population wasn’t always a burden and said that 65% of Pakistan’s population was below 25 and could do wonders.
Gilani further said that building character, and not just employment, ought to be the primary goal of education.
Furthermore, he announced a grant of Rs20 million to establish an information technology block for the college and Rs10 million to purchase the equipment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2011.
During a speech at the Aitchison College’s 125th Founder’s Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani hinted at the possibility of establishing the prestigious institution in other provinces of the country.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, who is also the president of the Aitchison College Board of Governors, had earlier requested the premier to set up the college in the other three provincial headquarters, to acknowledge the services of the institute.
Gilani directed Governor Khosa to work on a plan to establish Aitchison colleges in the other three provincial headquarters and report back to him in this regard.
Meanwhile, Gilani encouraged the students to remain optimistic and prepare themselves well to meet challenges. “Treat difficulties as challenges. Extremist forces seek to snatch our values. We have to inculcate values of respect and nationalism in our students,” he said. “I would like to quote Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto who said, ‘An inferior idea can be killed by a superior idea only’,” he added.
The premier further said that according to the 18th Amendment, every child in Pakistan should be educated and added that the target to enroll children in primary schools should be completed by 2015 to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
He said that the Chinese model had proved that population wasn’t always a burden and said that 65% of Pakistan’s population was below 25 and could do wonders.
Gilani further said that building character, and not just employment, ought to be the primary goal of education.
Furthermore, he announced a grant of Rs20 million to establish an information technology block for the college and Rs10 million to purchase the equipment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2011.