Universities should review curriculum on yearly basis: Shafqat Mehmood

Lahore : Federal Minister for Education and Professional
Training Shafqat Mahmood on Saturday said that universities should
devise a mechanism to evaluate and review the curriculum advancement
on yearly basis.

Addressing the 17th convocation of Government College University (GCU)
here, he said that it was a challenge to upgrade the curriculum
regularly, being taught in universities, as per international
standards, adding that focus should be on revision of curriculum to
meet requirements of job market.

The minister said that faculty development was another important
factor in provision of quality education, for which the government was
striving through Higher Education Commission (HEC). Workshops for
faculty development were being organised, he added.
Shafqat Mahmood said that higher education and research should have
relevance to the market as per international standards for making the
youth of the country employable.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was taking
effective measures to put the country on the way to progress and
prosperity; however, it could take some time, adding that there was a
need to find out innovative solutions to steer the country out of
crises.

The minister rejected the propaganda that higher education’s budget
had been cut by half and said that allocation for higher education
commission was Rs 65 billion during the fiscal year.

He said that deserving students would be given full scholarships but
those who could afford to pay expenses of higher education must pay
for it. The universities should be independent in making decisions
regarding academic affairs, he added.

The minister appreciated the efforts of GCU management to take the
university forward and said that the GCU had huge potential to become
number one university of not only the country but also the region.
Earlier, he awarded certificates and medals to the position-holder students.