Minister for uniformity in courses at various levels

LAHORE: Minister for Higher Education Department Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz chaired a meeting in Lahore Knowledge Park Company here on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Vice-Chairman of the Taskforce on Technology Driven Knowledge Economy, Momin Agha, Secretary, Higher Education Department, Muhammad Akram Khan, Chairman, Lahore Knowledge Park Company and others.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the initiatives being taken by the government to foster knowledge economy, innovation and technology-driven development. The minister desired to bring uniformity in the courses being offered at various levels with unique course and transferrable credit hours.

During the meeting it was discussed that LKPC could become a potential hub to boost knowledge economy of the Punjab, Pakistan. The objectives of the LKPC were reviewed and supported by the participants for developing an ecosystem of knowledge-based economy. The secretary, HED, opined that the LKPC may act as secretariat of all the initiatives to be taken in Punjab related to incubation, entrepreneurship, centres of excellence, linking knowledge and enhancing the quality of research and higher education.

Dr Atta apprised the meeting that the federal government is going to allocate around Rs 30 billion for the programmes and projects to be implemented in the fields of science and technology to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge driven economy. It was also discussed that level of current institutions should be raised to higher standards. However, establishment of new institutions in collaboration with world class top-ranked universities may also be considered.

Muhammad Akram Khan, Chairman, Punjab Textbook Board apprised the inclusion of technology subjects at the matriculation and higher secondary syllabus. The Tevta has also introduced Bachelor program in technology.

Dr Atta said research portfolio of Pakistan is very encouraging as the number of publications has drastically increased during the last couple of years, therefore, we have gathered a critical mass to develop an enabling environment for reaping the fruits of technology-based initiatives and strengthening knowledge economy in our country.

medicines: Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Saqib Zafar said all medical superintendents must monitor the availability of medicines in hospitals.

He said this while chairing a meeting of Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education. Additional Secretary Procurement Tayyab Fareed, Usman Muazzam and medical superintendents of all Punjab including Lahore were also there.

The Secretary reviewed the purchase of medicines for hospitals in the meeting. He said life-saving medicines in all hospitals were available. He said cleanliness arrangements in all the hospitals must be ensured.