ISLAMABAD - The third Vice Chancellors Forum of Islamic countries will be held here on August 26-27, 2014.
Over 300 vice chancellors/rectors/presidents of universities and higher education institutions of the Islamic world are likely to attend the forum, which is expected to provide a platform to university leaders to develop collaborative links, strengthen cooperation and encourage dialogue among representative institutions.
The objectives set forth for the forum entitled "Vice Chancellors Forum 2014: Universities in the Islamic World: Facing Global Challenges" include providing a platform to the university leaders in the OIC member states in forging linkages for initiating joint academic programmes, promoting research, pooling resources, offering scholarships, promoting exchange of students and establishing centres of excellence.
The forum's curtain raiser was hosted by chairman HEC where ambassadors of Islamic countries were apprised of the aims of the event.
Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Morocco, Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan attended the gathering.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said, "Education alone is the solution to problems in our respective countries. The time is ripe for countries in the Islamic world to address issues facing us, such as energy issue, water issue and food security. We need to engage ourselves in research to eradicate diseases like dengue, Ebola and others."
He also stressed the need to work in collaboration for further progress. He cited the success of a liver transplant facility that is due to begin at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, as a collaborative effort between Pakistani and Turkish academia following the previous forum.
This year, the themes proposed for the panel discussions include: fostering links with community; sustainable higher education systems; sharing of knowledge and fostering collaboration; higher education, innovation and entrepreneurship; international landscape; role of university leadership; higher education; new visions for future; role of higher education in economic revitalisation; mapping international research collaboration - future trends; equality of access and role of women in higher education and in society; and partnering with industry.
The forum is being jointly organised by the higher education commission, ministry of science and technology, Islamic educational scientific and cultural organisation, ministry of federal education and professional training, and federation of universities of Islamic world.