Aug 05 , 2015
News
World Bank appreciates strengthening of higher education institutions
*MD & CEO Indrawati says Pakistan has shown good economic progress over the last few years
ISLAMABAD: World Bank Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Sri Mulyani Indrawati has appreciated the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to strengthen the higher learning institutions, which she said have a key role in the socioeconomic development of a country.
World Bank boss Indrawati said this while speaking at a special session held at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) secretariat on Tuesday which was attended by vice chancellors, faculty members, research scholars and students. Over 60 universities of the country were connected to the event through videoconferencing.
She thanked HEC for providing an opportunity to talk to educators, students and hear from them. She said that Pakistan has shown good economic progress during the last few years due to right steps taken by the government, however she emphasised that the country needs to do much more to compete at regional as well as global level. The World Bank MD & CEO said that Pakistan has a huge potential of human as well as natural resources that need to be tapped properly. She said country’s growing middle class was representing a powerful engine for change. Terming macroeconomic stability of the country as encouraging, she stressed that a lot needs to be done.
While referring to peaceful transfer of power from one democratic government to another in 2013, she said that this is a good sign and a critical achievement for Pakistan. She added that Pakistani people have proved themselves resilient in the face of extremist attacks, natural disasters, frequent floods and extreme weather. “But I want to focus on what, in my view, are the two most important challenges, both obvious and urgent. To reach its full potential Pakistan needs to make better use of its people and its position in the neighbourhood and the world.” Indrawati revealed that Pakistan is the 6th most populous country of the world with half of its population below the age of 24-years, adding that the country needs to effectively use its human resource and facilitate their participation through all means. She particularly mentioned the dropout rate of students at country’s primary and secondary levels. She also highlighted the importance of gender equality in the development process, terming it indispensable for enhancing productivity.
She underscored the importance of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for country’s economic growth. She said that Pakistan should effectively take benefit of its strategic location for achieving economic objectives. She further said that attracting foreign and local investment was imperative for sustained economic growth, in addition to consensus on economic strategies across the political spectrum.
Earlier in his welcome address, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed thanked the World Bank boss for sparing time to address Pakistan’s academic and research community, terming it a valuable opportunity for them to learn from her experience. He said that the role of higher education is critical for economic development of any country. He briefly stated the initiatives taken by HEC for development of higher education and research in the country and how, since the inception of HEC in 2002, it has brought about a paradigm shift.
The chairman that HEC was striving to further increase the access rate to higher learning with strict measures to ensure quality as well as promoting relevant research to impact society. He also briefed Indrawati on three Centres of Advanced Studies in Food, Water and Agriculture being established by HEC. In the end, HEC Consultant Dr Mahmoodul Hassan Butt presented a vote of thanks.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk