September 20, 2016
News
Ahsan asks HEC to devise a Strategic Framework-2025
By: Online
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Planning, Development Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday asked Higher Education Commission (HEC) to devise a Strategic Framework-2025 for higher education to make it compatible with the worldwide evolving trends.The fast changing developments and technology are re-defining the paradigm in higher education and Pakistan needs to catch up with the changing paradigm through a new vision for higher education like the one present government introduced in the form of Vision-2025 for sustained economic growth and inclusive development. Ahsan stated this while chairing a meeting to review the higher education projects in Pakistan.
He held the view that this strategic framework-2025 would set the direction and destination of higher education for next ten years. HEC should hold consultation with the top minds in higher education. This strategic framework would provide guidelines for implementation of five years plan and other short term plans in higher education. He said that present government approved highest number of projects in higher education by doubling its budget in last two and half years.
He sought the physical and financial progress on various higher education projects and directed to speed up the pace of work on various projects to complete them as per schedule. The minister said that HEC should enhance project management skills to complete the projects in efficient and effective manner. He also asked HEC for devising guidelines for campus design by ensuring energy efficient and environment & people friendly aspects in them.
The federal minister also sought the plan on immediate basis for implementation of government's initiative on setting up of university campuses at district level and stressed for increasing the coordination with provincial governments for speeding up the pace of work on it. Ahsan also directed to operationalize Technology Innovation Fund at its earliest offering competitive research grants to Ph.D scholars returning to Pakistan from research in areas of industry, agricultural applications to promote academia-industry link.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk