Need for turning colleges, varsities into centres of excellence stressed

Islamabad

We have to turn our higher educational institution into centres of excellence with people of great knowledge. In order to work towards the economic growth of Pakistan, it is vital to promote the science, technology and innovation ecosystem in the country.

This was stated by the Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. He was addressing the inaugural session of the conference ‘Building Innovative Pakistan, through Science, Technology & Innovation Policy’ held at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).

The objective of the conference was to bring together the Academia, Industry & Government organizations working for the development of Science, Technology, and innovation in Pakistan.

“Although we have the PhD faculty in our universities, we just have to ensure the quality of research and teaching. We have the talented people, we just need to provide the right environment” said the Minister.

QAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammah Ali emphasized the need for a policy change at HEC level to encourage the faculty for innovation and collaboration. He said the Faculty promotion in the Universities must be on the basis of applied work, industrial linkages, and market-based research projects of the social sector.

Abid H K Shirwani CEO, IRP, DG, UMT, said that Science & Technology progress has direct links with economic progress of any country, our exports to a competitive market largely depends on S&T budgets and S&T quality in the country.

Dr. Anees Ahmed by Vice Chancellor, Riphah

International University, said that innovation should not merely be a discovery; it should also be time value creation.

He said that passion to serve the nation through science & technology should be inculcated in all academicians.

Chief organizer of the conference Dr. Muhammad Imran, Department of Microbiology, QAU, said the countries that were behind Pakistan 2-3 decades ago now stand at the export of $ 200-300 billion.

He said Pakistan needs to address some fundamental issues like giving importance to science, technology, and innovation.

“Pakistan may double its export to $ 30-40 billion export in the next few years. But to achieve $ 400 billion exports, Pakistan needs to revitalize its S&T base, supply innovation and innovate its education system,” he added.

Mushtaq Ahmed, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee for Science & Technology Dr. Marc Baréty, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, President, ECO Science Foundation, Dr. Rani Faryal Tahir, Chairperson Department of Microbiology, QAU, also addressed the conference.

The conference was jointly organised by the South Asia Triple Helix Association, Pakistan-France Alumni Network, Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Management and Technology, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Institute of Space Technology, Mehran University Institute of Science and Technology Development, Eco Science Foundation and other partners.