Quality education vital for national uplift: minister

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education, Archives, and Libraries, Meena Khan Afridi, has said that quality education and research are vital for national development.

Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a three-day progress review meeting and training organized by the Quality Assurance Agency of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Afridi underscored that without quality education, a nation cannot achieve its development goals.

He commended the HEC Pakistan for its efforts in promoting quality education and highlighted the need to prioritise and promote such education standards, as they are closely observed by the international community.

Afridi also praised the progress review meetings and consultative workshops on Pakistan’s Precept, Standards, and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PSG-2023), emphasising their ongoing significance in fostering understanding and effective implementation strategies. He stressed that these endeavours would continue to play a crucial role in sustaining and elevating the standard of education across Pakistan by facilitating ongoing dialogue and collaboration.

The event, attended by dignitaries and stakeholders, witnessed profound insights and commitments towards advancing the quality of higher education. Vice-Chancellor KMU Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, welcomed the chief guest and participants, highlighting the inclusive spirit of the occasion. He outlined the paramount significance of PSG-2023 in leading a transformative journey for higher education, and discussed its role in enhancing student-centric education.

Nasir Shah, director general of Quality Assurance at HEC, elaborated on PSG-2023’s advantages, emphasising its role in preserving and elevating educational standards domestically and internationally. He highlighted its capacity to foster a culture of improvement and accountability within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Higher Education Department’s Executive Director Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum stressed the imperative of promoting quality education and urged educators to utilise available resources effectively.