The Punjab government has laid the foundation of international quality educational and research facilities in higher education institutions, as the quality education helps to develop educated leadership in different sectors to guide the development process in different fields.
Provincial Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani said this while talking to the US Consul General in Lahore, Yuriy Fedkiw, who called on him at his office Friday.
During the meeting, different matters including promotion of higher education and training of the youth, provision of quality education, along with possible US collaboration for the promotion of higher education in the Punjab, came under discussion.
Raza Gillani apprised the US Consul General about various higher education sector reforms and said that provincial government is giving prime attention to promotion of education for the youth who are 60% of the total population. The laptop scheme has improved the access of the students to latest knowledge-trends. “It is our commitment to provide education at the doorsteps so that the students could excel in life through the strong educational support.” He said that research was being encouraged in the higher educational institutions; and told that special funds would be provided for research based activities in public sector colleges. He said that teachers training academies are planned to educate and train the teachers about latest trends in their fields. Similarly, it has been planned to appoint pro vice chancellors for further improving the standard of public sector universities. He told that the Lahore Knowledge Park project is aimed to provide international quality education to Pakistani students without being burdened. Pakistani youth is highly talented, creative and gifted with intellectual approach towards life; the government is playing a facilitating role to improve their intellectual ken by providing them world-class education.
The meeting also discussed possible avenues of bilateral cooperation in higher education sector in the Punjab. Special secretary Higher Education was also present on the occasion.