PLANS are underway to set up Gwadar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Mekran in line with the official policy to develop Gwadar port and industrial zone under the 9th five-year plan.
The government would provide Rs200 million for the institute aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship by establishing linkages between the institute and the industries of Gwadar port. The GIT would be headed by the Director General, Gwadar Development Authority.
The technology institute will develop human resources and get the local population involved in the development process. Sustainable growth and poverty reduction objectives are linked to significant investment in human resources. People possessing trade skills are needed to increase productivity with modern technology.
Many industries are proposed to be established in and around Gwadar. There is a dire need for qualified and professional port staff for successful marketing of the port facilities to potential customers, building of export processing zone, trans-shipment and warehousing facilities, fixing of port tariffs for shipping companies in order to be competitive.
There is also a need to create technical hands and skilled labour. Today, Balochistan seems to be at the crossroad finding a way for ending stagnancy of human resources and for resource mobilization strategies to meet the future challenges.
It is worth mentioning that the federal government provided an additional grant of Rs170 million for implementing projects of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) during last two years. An amount of Rs275 million has been earmarked for the year 2004-05 and Rs400 million would be spent on the NCHD projects during the next fiscal year.
The funds would be utilized for the development of education, health and adult literacy. The NCHD was established on the directives of President Musharraf in 2002 and has been working in nine districts of Balochistan. The remaining districts of the province would be covered in the NCHD programme by 2007.
The human development programmes provide a wide range of choices and opportunities to the people for employment, nutrition, education and health care.
The province is yet to make significant attainments in the human development index (HDI), which focuses on measurable dimensions of human development such as having a decent standard of living. Thus, HDI combines measures of life expectancy, school enrolment, literacy, and income.
The good governance is essential for the development of human resources. It ensures the transparency, efficiency and rationality in the utilization of public funds and national resources, encourages growth of the private sector, promotes effective delivery of public services and helps establish the rule of law. Along with good governance, the people friendly policies, and sound macroeconomic management are also of immense importance..
Nothing can bring about a change in life style of the people until and unless they accept the future challenges making up their mind for the change. A progressive mindset is need of the hour to survive the evolution.
The key areas need to focused for human development include: a rational and long-term planning, on-job training programs, technical education according to the needs of 21st century, secondary level education for development of critical skills, allocation of significant resources, setting up of technology institutes in various districts, the recruitment of qualified teachers, instructors and trainers, access to the high-tech computing services, information technology, scientific management related education and value adding knowledge.
