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President Zardari inks PIDE Bill 2010
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday gave assent to a bill giving degree-awarding status to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).President Zardari, who inked the bill here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, hoped the institution would produce Ph.Ds, M.Phils and Masters in Economics and help the country in meeting the requirements of highly trained economists in public and private sectors.
He said a number of economists of international repute have been associated with PIDE and there is a need to recognize its merit and make it a degree awarding institution.
In his brief remarks, the President said the new law was a recognition of the strengths and capabilities of the institution and it had given it greater responsibilities.
The President was also appreciative of the Speaker National Assembly and Chairman Senate for the passage of important legislation.
Under the new law that has already been passed by the National Assembly and the Senate on January 18 and March 24, the main purpose of the institute is to provide for education and scholarships in such branches of knowledge as it may deem fit, and to make provision for research, service to society and for the application, advancement and dissemination of knowledge in such manner as it may determine.
Under the new bill the Institute shall have academic, financial and administrative autonomy, including the power to employ officers, teachers and other employees on such terms as may be prescribed, subject to the provision of this Act and the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002.
President Zardari said PIDE was a world class center of teaching and research on economic development and wished the institution success in its new role as a degree awarding institution.
The President underlined the need for out of box solutions to achieve high rates of growth for Pakistan.
The needs of the country have increased with the rise in population from 45 million in 1970s to 170 million today, he said adding, “we should tap all our resources to meet aspirations of people.”
The President said the world is changing fast and the process of learning should continue from cradle to grave to meet new challenges.
The signing ceremony was attended among others by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, Federal Education Minister Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, parliamentarians and leading economists and academicians.
Courtesy www.Geo.tv