Academia-industry linkage for economic development stressed

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Muhammad Balighur Rehman on Wednesday called for linkages between academia and industry saying it is vital for the country's economic development.

He was talking to President of the Aga Khan University (AKU) Firoz Rasul, who called on him at the ministry here. During the meeting, the matters related to education came under discussion.

The AKU president shared with the minister the results of a study on the university’s Economic impact of its activities and inputs in Pakistan and said the Centennial International from Washington DC was commissioned for doing the study.

The minister appreciated the university's study and declared it 'very authentic'. He said the universities could play a great role and provide key contribution to the development of economy.

"The promotion of education is the priority of our government. Every year, we increase funding for education sector," he said adding that the efforts to further the cause of education would continue. body to evaluate uplift: A meeting of the Executive Committee of Housing Foundation held on Wednesday, formed a technical committee to evaluate the revised estimated cost for development works in sectors G-13 and G-14.

The Executive Committee meeting chaired by Federal Secretary Housing and Works Babar Hassan Bharwana approved the agreement for Green Enclave (Phase-II) Murree Expressway and issued strict orders for the commencement of the scheme as soon as possible.

The technical committee will present a report in the next Executive Committee’s meeting after looking into the matter. The Executive Committee advised the Housing Foundation to submit a report on Green Enclave-I after deciding the terms and conditions with M/s Green Tree.

education sector: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday called for improving the standard of education in the country, saying it is necessary to achieve sustainable economic development.

"Development and expansion in the education sector is the real investment," he told a delegation of The Aga Khan University, which called on him at the Aiwan-i-Sadr here. The visitors were led by The Aga Khan University President Feroz Rasool.

The president praised The Aga Khan Foundation and university for their contributions to the cause of education in the country and said the university had long been rendering commendable services in education sector to produce specialists in different fields.

"Such experts will help accelerate the pace of national development, which will raise the living standard of the people," he said. AKU Vice President Al-Karim Haji and Ismaili National Council Pakistan President Hafiz Sher Ali were also present in the meeting.

Lok Virsa: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Wednesday formally opened a new Museum Office Block at Shakarparian. The ribbon cutting ceremony in this respect was performed by Chairman of the Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas Usman Khan Kakar along with Executive Director of Lok Virsa Dr Fouzia Saeed.

Senator Usman Kakar appreciated the work of Lok Virsa for promoting and projecting the indigenous folk culture of Pakistan, especially that of less developed areas. "The Lok Virsa deserves commendation for doing an excellent job in collecting and preserving the things that we inherited from our forefathers. Each province and region has its own cultural identity which is beautifully presented by Lok Virsa here at Heritage Museum," he said.

The lawmaker said he and his committee would offer full cooperation to Lok Virsa and its management for the successful execution of its projects. Dr Fouzia Saeed, executive director of the Lok Virsa, said the place had been non-functional for last many years.

"The museum team worked day and night and made it functional. Now, the museum section of Lok Virsa has its own office block, which has been beautifully decorated by them with various traditional motifs and patterns," she said.

Senator Usman later visited the Museum Conservation Laboratory and Museum Stores and saw artifacts collected by Lok Virsa over the years. He also met senior museum officials and creative staff and encouraged them for continuing with the good work.