Seminar: Call for increased funds for higher education

Experts urge creating a research and innovation-friendly environment.

ISLAMABAD:

The executive director of Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday urged the government to increasing spending in the education sector to boost socioeconomic development.

Addressing the seminar on “Current Challenges for Higher Education in Pakistan”, Dr Sohail H Naqvi said that the current spending for higher education- a meagre 0.18 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — is inadequate to bring the quality of education at par with international standards.

The seminar was jointly organised by Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Science (IUCPSS), in collaboration with National Language Authority (NLA).

The keynote speaker, Prof Dr Aslam Syed, called for creating an environment conducive for research and innovation, and for building strong university linkages.

He said that educational institutions need to be protected from external pressures to be able to flourish. Pointing out the current challenges to higher education, he emphasised the need to improve its access, quality, and relevance.

He commended the role of the existing higher education infrastructure in providing students access to digital worldwide resources.

Quaid-i-Azam University Vice Chancellor Dr Masoom Yasinzai expressed concerns over the small budget allocated for the education sector. He urged the government to prioritise education and allocate at least four per cent of the GDP for the sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2012.