HEC chairman calls for raise in education budget

LAHORE

Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has laid a stress on increasing the budget for higher education in Pakistan, saying that presently there is a shortage of 36,000 PhDs in the country.

He was addressing a group of journalists from the federal capital during their visit to the Government College University, Lahore, according to a press release issued here on Thursday. The visit was arranged by the HEC for enlightening the journalists about the academic and research development at GCU.

Speaking on the occasion along with Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah, the HEC chairman said that after the 18th Amendment, provincial higher education commissions were reality, so there was no as such conflict between the federal and provincial higher education commissions. However, he said, the role of provincial higher education commissions was needed to be defined to end confusion and this issue would be amicably resolved in the Council of Common Interests (CCI). 

This stance of the HEC chairman was also seconded by the GCU VC who said that it’s good for the universities to be benefited from both federal and provincial higher education commissions. However, he said, major budget of universities came from the federal HEC. 

Talking about the brutal incident in Khan Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said, “This is something really serious and now the issue of extremism in educational institutions is being given special attention and top priority by HEC as well.” 

“We are producing good scientists, doctors and engineers but we also have to ask ourselves whether we are also producing good human beings or not, and this is where the role of universities is very important,” said Dr Mukhtar Ahmed. 

He said that a special conference of vice chancellors was being arranged by HEC in the second week of May to devise a modus operandi for promotion of peace and tolerance in educational institutions.

He termed the GCU a role model educational institution in terms of peace and promotion of tolerance.

GCU VC Prof Hassan Shah said the Government College (now University) had always laid a special focus on the character building and personality development of its students, and tought them tolerance towards the beliefs, faith, race, religion and ideas of other people.  

However, he said, schools in Pakistan also needed special attention, as this was the right age for the personality development and moral training of students.  

The Vice-Chancellor told journalists that GCU could not expand itself over the last few decades due the space constraints. “Now, a new campus of the university was under construction at Kala Shah Campus with a grant from the government,” he said 

Earlier, GCU Academic Planning and External Links Director Ms Fauzia Shaheen briefed the journalists on the history, traditions, infrastructure, research output and international linkages of the university.

GCU deans Prof Dr Islam Ullah, Prof Dr Raiz Ahmad and Prof Dr Kamran Tahir also attended the meeting with journalists.

PU signs MoU: Punjab University and Centre for International Relations, Rome, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote bilateral relations, exchange faculty members and launch joint research projects.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at committee room of the vice chancellor’s office here on Thursday.

PU VC Prof Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir, Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, Pakistan Study Centre Director Prof Dr Massarrat Abid, Centre for International Relations, Rome, Chairman Prof Andrea Margelletti, coordinator and analyst Dr Gabriele Iacovino, Asia Desk analyst Ms Francesca Manenti and faculty members were present on the occasion.

Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir said that the MoU would remove misconceptions about Islam and Pakistan. Prof Andrea Margelletti said that Islam is a peaceful religion and has nothing to do with terrorism.

UVAS: The University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, observed World Veterinary Day on Thursday. A walk and seminar were held to mark the day and create awareness about the welfare of animals in the community.

According to a press release issued here, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha led the walk while Faculty of Veterinary Science Dean Prof Dr Masood Rabbani, Faculty of Life Sciences Business Management Dean Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad, Prof Dr Anila Zameer Durrani and a large number of students and faculty members participated in the walk.

Later, a seminar was organised to sensitise people about the importance of animal welfare, health and treatment. Experts urged the faculty members and students to work for this noble cause.