ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain has reiterated firm commitment of the government to accord topmost priority to the promotion of higher education and called upon the heads of the universities to focus on bringing out the latest and quality research in all fields and develop an educational system that is more compatible with the requirements of a knowledge-based economy in the country. The President said this during a meeting with the 3rd group of heads of leading universities and degree awarding institutes of the country here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
The heads of universities who called on the president included Jahangir Bashar, rector GIK Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology, Swabi, Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad, rector National Textile University, Faisalabad, Dr Najma Najam, vice chancellor Karakorum International University, Gilgit, and Prof Hina Tayyaba, vice chancellor Pakistan Institute of Fashion & Design, Lahore. Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman Higher Education Commission, was also present during the meeting. Allocation of record all time high budget, Rs 60.369 billion, this year for higher education demonstrates the priority the government attaches to the development of higher education sector in country, the president said. He emphasised the need for focusing on promoting women education at all levels so as to make Pakistani women strong enough to face the challenges of life and participate in the decision-making process.
The president urged the heads of the universities to focus on greater collaboration between the universities and the industry to promote research, job creation and preparing the young generation of the country to efficiently meet the requirements of the market, besides being able to compete at the global level in various fields.
The president also emphasised the need for developing and strengthening linkages of their respective institutes with the reputed international universities so as to benefit from the global experiences and expertise in various educational fields.
The president's meeting with the vice chancellors was part of the series of the meetings the president has been holding with the educationists, heads of the universities and scholars from across the country to promote education, women empowerment and quality research in the country.
The president assured all-out support and patronage to the heads of the universities and degree awarding institutes in the promotion of education in Pakistan.