“Universities should not limit their role to imparting education alone; they must also work towards integration of the society,” Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairperson Higher Education Commission.
While addressing as chief guest at the 11th convocation of the National Defence University (NDU) here on Wednesday, he insisted that education was the only solution to fighting the extremist mindset in the society, adding it was the only long-term remedy to the country’s problems.
“We have no other choice but to educate ourselves and look beyond our differences,” the HEC chairperson said.
Ahmed said that NDU presented a fine blend of military and civilian students, in addition to a sizable number of foreign military officers.
He said that the university was playing an important role in bringing together all the stakeholders — civilians, military personnel and politicians — on a single platform where they could discuss important policy matters.
The HEC chief said that the opportunity to get higher education was only available to 8.6 per cent of the population, which was the lowest in the region.
He also stressed the importance of education and training in the process of nation building. The country needs to unite under the banner of education and promote nationalism.
Outlining HEC’s goals, the HEC chairperson said that in the next three to four years an educational institute, be it public or private, would be established in every district across the country.
Though the president of the university Lt-Gen Javaid Iqbal expressed great satisfaction at the performance of the institute, just one doctoral degree was awarded at the ceremony.
A total of 227 students belonging to the faculty of Contemporary Studies were awarded MPhil and MSc degrees.
Eight students were conferred gold medals for outstanding achievement.
Lt-Gen Iqbal, while congratulating the graduating batch stated that a nation’s character was shaped by its educational institutes.
He said that the students at the university had been trained to pragmatically interpret the events that were unfolding at the national and international level.
The president also commended the academic staff and administration for their role in promoting research, while providing a single platform for politicians, military personnel and the civilians.
On the occasion, a minute’s silence was observed to express solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar massacre.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ