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Promotion of higher education must for development, says Baligh

Islamabad Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engineer Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman attended the ‘10th Meeting of the Committee of Board of University Grants Commission/Relevant Bodies of SAARC Member States’ at a hotel on Tuesday. The minister welcomed the SAARC members and said that it’s a great privilege and

By our correspondents
June 17, 2015
Islamabad
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engineer Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman attended the ‘10th Meeting of the Committee of Board of University Grants Commission/Relevant Bodies of SAARC Member States’ at a hotel on Tuesday.
The minister welcomed the SAARC members and said that it’s a great privilege and honour to have all of them in Pakistan.
In Dhaka on December 8, 1985, the organisation was established by the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, stated the state minister. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded as a movement toward collective progress of South Asian Sates. The organisation promotes political cooperation between member states for the mutual progression of the country’s social, economic, and cultural development.
Minister of State lamented that it’s a fact that South Asia is the home of the largest number of the world’s poor community.
The minister said throughout South Asia, the persistence of hunger was directly associated with widespread and unrelenting poverty.
In this situation, higher education seems to be beacon light to meet the challenges faced by the poor in this region.
“We have increased the budget of HEC to Rs80 billion which shows our commitment towards higher education. Higher education is undoubtedly one of the most important factors that impact the growth and development of a SAARC region as well as the future course of the SAARCs people as a whole. It opens up new vistas leading to the enhancement of both individuals and group potentials. Improvements in Higher education are not only expected to enhance efficiency but also augment the overall quality of life.
Moreover, very basic kinds of infrastructure including Institutes, healthcare centres, balanced nutrition, gender equity, employment and transportation are lacking. Why should we consider expensive and elitist form of infrastructure, when more fundamental developmental needs remain unmet, emphasised the minister.
“I am sure the experts who have come from different SAARC member countries with their experiences tried to address these issues and would suggest ways and means so that we do not lag behind in ICT revolution. I hope the technical sessions would address how to meet the diverse social and infrastructural needs more or less simultaneously to ensure a region future growth and prosperity,” he said.
South Asia is a region that is home to one of the world’s oldest and most magnificent civilizations. We have given forth to the world, a large number of its greatest sages, scientists, political activists, poets and artists. “I have always believed that human beings have the capacity to achieve the most difficult and noble goals in life, as long as there is commitment and dedication," the minister said.
The minister said if we are determined enough then we, as a region, can through our own efforts, realize our full potential. We should do away with our differences and work in collaboration for the betterment of our future generations.
In the end, the minister again extended his gratitude to all participants for their arrival in Pakistan and assured them their best of hospitality.