Promotion of education: British Council pledges support to K-P govt

MoU, signed on Wednesday, involves widespread collaboration in education sector.

ISLAMABAD:

The British Council on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding which focuses on strengthening human resource in the education sector and increasing women participation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

According to a press release, the MoU will pave the way for future cooperation at all levels of education between the K-P and the British Council.

The MoU will involve the two parties working together on education, including elementary, secondary, higher education, vocational training and skills development.

It also entails to stimulate activities through networking of institutions and through exchange of relevant expertise between Pakistan and United Kingdom.

Speaking at the ceremony, K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said “This MoU between British Council and our government is an active first step towards what the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government promised people in its manifesto — quality education for all.”



The MoU also focuses on strengthening human resource in the education sector which will lead to higher education standards and in relevance to local and international job markets.

While interacting with the participants, British Council Director Peter Upton said “This MoU is the result of a clear vision and sustained commitment from the government of K-P. Creating educational opportunities for young people is the key to economic and social opportunity for all.” He said they were pleased to work on this ambitious goal and were taking the first steps towards a wider collaboration that involves higher education, skills development, English language support exchanges and the reopening of another British Council Library.

In the agreement, the British Council will provide technical support and advice to K-P government on designing and setting up an education city and help promote the project in the UK to attract world class universities to set up their campuses in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2013.