Punjab Government signs three MoU with international Universities

Lahore: Three memorandums of understanding were signed between Punjab government and international universities at a local hotel here today.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Secretary Higher Education Abdullah Sunbal and representatives of international universities signed the documents.

Under the agreements International Scottish Qualification Authority UK, COMSATS/University of Lancaster and Noor International University will set up their campuses in the state of the art Knowledge Park to be established in Lahore.

These institutions will extend cooperation for the promotion of research in Punjab. Similarly, they will also share their experiences and skills for promoting higher education in Punjab as well as award scholarships to the students.

Addressing the function, the Chief Minister welcomed the signing of the agreements between Punjab government and international universities for establishing the campuses in Knowledge Park and said that all out measures will be taken for giving a practical shape to these agreements as early as possible. He said that education is essential for achieving the goal of national development and prosperity as well as overcoming extremism, poverty, unemployment and other problems.

Keeping in view the importance of the education, he said, Punjab government has attached top priority to the development of education sector in the province. He said that knowledge park is being set up over a large area in Lahore where prominent universities of the world are setting up their campuses which will promote the process of research.

He said that Knowledge Park is being set up at an extremely prime location of Lahore and it will be a center of knowledge and research. He said that Knowledge Park is based on the vision to take Pakistan forward and the scholars and researchers to be produced in the park will bring laurels for the country.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Information Technology University will be shifted to the knowledge park while kidney and liver research center as well as institutes with regard to medical and other important sectors will also be established in the park. He said that promotion of education is the most important method to eradicate extremism, terrorism and militancy. He said that compared to bullet, education is more effective to deal with the menace of extremism.

The Chief Minister said that Daanish Schools have been set up in South Punjab to counter the trends of extremism and educational facilities at par with prestigious educational institutions of the country are being provided to the children of extremely poor families free of cost in these educational institutions. He said that smart boards are used in Daanish schools for imparting education to the students.

He said that the youth completing their education from Daanish schools will play an important role in the progress and development of the country.

He said that besides establishing Daanish schools, laptops have also been distributed among talented students purely on merit and scholars of seminaries have also been included in laptop distribution programme so that they could benefit from education and research work being carried out in top universities all over the world. He said that the Britain has been extending commendable cooperation in education and other sectors. He said that vocational training has been imparted to more than 40 thousand children under Skill Development Programme initiated with the collaboration of DFID.

He said that British Prime Minister, Ministers and senior officials have appreciated the efforts of Punjab government for the improvement of education, skill development and other sectors which is an honor for Punjab government. He said that school reforms programme being implemented with the cooperation of Britain is also yielding highly positive results.

The Chief Minister said that provision of modern education and empowerment of the youth is the mission of the Punjab government. He said that youth of the country will be provided honorable job opportunities and this challenge will be turned into golden opportunities. He said that the agreements signed with international universities in this regard will soon be translated into reality.

Replying to the questions of foreign delegates and educationists present in the ceremony, the Chief Minister said that the agreements regarding the establishment of the campuses of international universities in the knowledge park will be speedily implemented and foolproof security will be provided in the campuses. He said that the government wants to benefit from the experiences of foreign educationists for the promotion of higher education and their guidance is needed for this purpose.

Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that the targets of development cannot be achieved without bringing women into mainstream of national development. He made an appeal to daughters of the nation to take an active part in the process of development so that Pakistan could make rapid progress. He said that Punjab government has taken solid measures for the empowerment of women and a programme of provision of small loans to the women has been started. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park is being set up over a vast area near motorway which will result in promotion of ten lakh new job opportunities.

In reply to another question, Shahbaz Sharif said that there are vast opportunities of development and investment in agriculture, livestock and dairy farming sectors and their promotion will help strengthen national economy. He said that Punjab government is taking solid measures for the promotion of vocational education in the province.

Country Director British Council Pakistan Peter Upton in his address commended the efforts being made by Punjab government under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif for the promotion of education in the province. He said British Prime Minister has also lauded the measures taken for the uplift of education sector in Punjab. He said that Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, Daanish schools and Punjab Education Reforms Roadmap are world level programmes which will leave a positive impact on education sector.

Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Parliamentary Secretary on Higher Education, Secretary Higher Education and 80 delegates of 15 countries including India, Sri Lanka, America, Canada and Britain participated in the function.