LAHORE - Only revolution in education sector can bring Pakistan out of crisis, said Government College University Vice Chancellor Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman.

He was addressing the media at the closing ceremony of four-day 6th international conference on 21st century mathematics.
France Mathematical Society President Prof Aline Bonami was the chief guest at the closing cermoney, while former Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool, GCU Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences (ASSMS) Director General Dr A D Raza Ch and 62 foreign mathematicians from 27 countries were present. Addressing the conference participants, Prof Rahman said the education must be given the top priority in the budgets of both federal and provincial governments. He also said that the Higher Education Commission had played a vital role in development of education, so it must be strengthened.
The VC said that science was developing at a very high pace in the 21st century, so international conferences must be arranged by all the universities throughout the year, so that their students could interact with eminent scientists and learn about the new trends.
Speaking on the occasion, French mathematician Prof Aline Bonami expressed pleasure that a large number of females were teaching fraternity in the universities of Pakistan. “At this moment in France, females are heading most of the academic institutions. I don’t say men are not talented, surely they are. However, women are usually appeared to be better teachers than men,” she added.
Prof Aline Bonami also highlighted there was scarcity of talented mathematicians all over the world, so more students should be attracted towards this discipline. Former Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool said the knowledge would decide the fate of countries in the 21st century.
He said China was emerging as super power because it had the largest number of engineers, scientists, technicians and researchers in the world.
He laid a stress on providing free education to the students and establishment of more state-of-the-art educational institutions in the country.
The VC and ASSMS DG Dr Raza gave away a life achievement award to Khalid Maqbool for his extra-ordinary services for education development in Pakistan.
He expressed gratitude to the European Mathematical Society, HEC, International Union of Mathematicians and ICTP for their collaboration with GCU ASSMS.  Later, the VC gave away young Pakistani scientist awards to Sania, Ashraf, Asad Zaidi, Diba Afzal, Azhar Ali Zafar, Hania Azam, Diba Afzal, Munaza Ishaq, M Ejaz and Yasir Khursheed.