ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan has the potential to become a developed nation by 2025, if we refocus our attention on education, as it plays a key role in the realization of the nation’s extraordinary potential and aspirations for economic and technological development
The federal minister addressing the Vice Chancellors’ committee on Thursday observed that all developing and developed countries are focusing on scientific education, and there is a need to focus on our education system.
He said that developed nations have made use of the great opportunities inherent in the system of higher education and ushered in the required paradigm shift to build the knowledge capital and pave the way for real development.
Ahsan Iqbal urged vice chancellors of public universities to help Higher Education Commission to devise Vision 2025 to cater the socio-economic needs of the country.
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The meeting stressed upon promoting science and technology research through US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor which includes improving education and research system and providing students access to top US universities.
The minister revealed that ten thousand Pakistani scholars will be sent to the United States for study in the next 10 years under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor.
He said that key performance indicators (KPI) of Vice Chancellors should include number of students getting prepared to get admission in universities of America under US-Pakistan knowledge corridor.
The minister talked about six strategic directions which include making academic programs and instructions relevant to development needs, relevance of research and innovation with national objectives, link between academia and industry, universities engagement for community uplift, technology integration, academic freedom and teaching of life success skills
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He maintained that this will craft a future direction to make sure these all important elements are addressed to build best leaders for tomorrow.
Mr. Iqbal also highlighted steps taken by government to bring changes in the education sector which includes national curriculum reforms, teacher training initiatives and alignment of examination system with new curriculum reforms.
He emphasized on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects and considered that arts are important to teach children innovation and creativity.
“By 2025, we can take pride that Pakistan has best higher education system in South Asia,” he concluded.
