ISLAMABAD: Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force for Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman Friday said that better results were achieved only with intelligent minds and highly qualified faculty instead of big buildings of universities.
The contribution of private sector needed to be appreciated in higher education sector, he added.
He was addressing at the ceremony organized by Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP) at Islamabad Club.
The event was attended by Executive Director Higher Education Commission Dr. Shaista Sohail, Chairman APSUP Prof. Dr. Ch. Abdul Rehman and executive committee members of central and regional chapters of APSUP.
He further said that provision of equal funds to private and public universities would be ensured. The role of private sector Universities in the development of the country was remarkable, he added.
Prof. Dr. Atta underlined the need of Open Distance Learning (ODL) education system in and said that ODL programs for Bachelors and Masters would be allowed in all universities.
He also briefed on ways and means and strategy to promote Technology driven economy with enhanced allocations to higher education, technical skills development of human resource, promotion of digitalization, promotion of AI (Artificial Intelligence) education and skills.
He also informed about recent development in higher education sector of Pakistan including National Education Emergency, Dual Degree Policy, Distance Education Policy, University-Industry Interaction Policy and HEC Scholarship programme of
Rs 13 billion.
He suggested the HEC to establish a cell within its secretariat to resolve students’ issues in order to facilitate them urgently.
“There has been a 60 percent increase in development budget of Ministry of Science and Technology as a result of our Knowledge Economy Task Force Projects” he added.
He informed that we had established some groups of our Pakistanis friends in the world’s best universities of United Kingdome and with their cooperation we were working on some projects to raise the quality and standard of education in Pakistan.
To a question, Dr Atta assured that he would write a letter to the senior officials State Bank of Pakistan for facilitation to the students of private sector universities to get soft loans for higher education studies.
The HEC’s job is to facilitate the universities respecting their autonomy and charters as per its Act.
He emphasized on improving the quality of education in schools and colleges and said that if quality education was imparted at this level then the best students would come to the universities, he added.
Citing the example of neighboring China, he said that every year around 500, 000 students return to China after PHD which would lead to very positive results in future. “We should also focus on research while learning lessons from the neighboring country, ” he added.
Private sector Universities should introduce good courses from abroad and emphasize international video conferencing. Operate like a virtual university for the promotion of higher education.
Explaining the aims and objectives of APSUP, Prof. Dr. Chaudhry Abdul Rehman said that the Association of Private Sector Universities had been set up for the betterment of the higher education sector. All the member institutions of the Association would contribute towards brining higher education sector of Pakistan at par with international standards, he added.
Dr. Abdul Rehman briefed on the future plans of APSUP and said that number of events and plans had been finalized for the year 2022 including Entrepreneur Expo, Rectors Conference, Inter-University Cricket and Swimming League etc.
He also demanded that the private sector be included in the scholarship under the Ehsaas scheme and Soft Loan Scheme by State Bank of Pakistan.
Later, Executive Director HEC Dr Shaista Sohail talked about the grants and scholarships being offered to public and private sector universities. She also assured her utmost cooperation in resolving various issues being faced by private sector universities including uniform affiliation criteria, provision of scholarship & sport facilities to the enrolled students at private sector universities.