Punjab govt to launch “Chief Minister’s Talent Scholarship Programme” for talented students

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting, here today, which decided to launch “Chief Minister’s Talent Scholarship Programme” for talented but deserving boy and girl students for higher education in local and international universities.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that scholarships will be given to brilliant but deserving students for Ph. D programme in the top 50 universities of the world. He said that scholarships for Ph. D programme will be given purely on merit to such students as are intelligent and deserving as well as eligible for admission in international universities.

Shahbaz Sharif said that scholarships will also be given to boy and girl students for education at masters level in the best universities of Pakistan. He directed the committee comprising educationists to evolve procedure for awarding scholarships and other matters at the earliest. He said that the future of the country is linked with education and development of education sector is the top priority of the government.

The Chief Minister said that all out resources will be provided for higher education of boy and girl students. He said that the subjects and procedure for scholarship at local universities should be given a final shape as soon as possible.

Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission, Secretary Higher Education, Secretary Information, Secretary Planning & Development Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, Vice Chairman Punjab Educational Endowment Fund Dr. Amjad Saqib and concerned authorities attended the meeting.

Meanwhile; Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting which reviewed in detail the important features of Punjab Skills Development Strategy-2018 in the background of Punjab Development Strategy.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that a major portion of Pakistan’s population comprises youth and there is a need to develop a skilled workforce of youth to meet the local and foreign requirements. He said that Punjab government has set the target of imparting various skills to 20 lakh youth during next three years and the concerned departments will have to work efficiently to achieve this target. He said that it has been decided to set up a separate authority by unifying various institutions relating to vocational training under one roof.

He said that establishment of skill development authority will result in better coordination between different institutions and this step will improve the standard of technical training. Shehbaz Sharif said that the role of teachers is the vital importance for quality skills development and besides proper training of teachers, they should also be imparted latest knowledge. He said that concerned institutions will have to play active role for quality skill development in Punjab.

He directed that the institutions concerned will have to make efforts for improving quality of skill development and a practical roadmap with regard to the achievement of the targets of skill development strategy should be presented within three weeks.

The Chief Minister said that youth of the country will have to be imparted quality vocational education in the interest of progress and prosperity of the country. He said that funds of billions of rupees have already been provided for the empowerment of youth and this process will continue in future as well. Shehbaz Sharif said that provision of resources for the empowerment of youth is investment in the future of the country.

He said that hard work and commitment is essential for achieving the future targets with regard to skill development and all institutions relating to technical training will have to adopt a modern approach. He said that special attention should also be paid to on-job training and apprenticeship.

The Chief Minister further directed that keeping in view the market needs, a comprehensive data of those receiving technical training should be compiled.

Secretary Industry gave a detailed briefing on the strategy regarding provision of quality technical and vocational training.

Provincial Ministers for Law Rana Sanaullah, Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Ch. Sher Ali, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, economists and senior officers were present in the meeting while Chairman Planning & Development participated from Islamabad and Member Provincial Assembly Hashim Jawan Bakht from Rahim Yar Khan through video link.