KARACHI: Increase in allocation for higher education
KARACHI, June 23: A 6000 per cent gradual increase is being registered in the budgetary allocations for higher education, science and technology, research and development in Pakistan.
Prof Atta-ur Rehman, Chairman, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, said in a presentation “Journey to FRS (Fellowship of Royal Society) at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) here on Friday.
The senior scientist, responding to queries regarding proper investment and equal focus in strengthening basic education system in the country, said measures to improve higher education was directly linked to the former.
“Low level education is in pathetic status due to poor management and improper planning but single most cause is dearth of quality teachers,” the HEC Chairman commented.
He maintained that teachers acquiring quality education and training at higher levels will be a source to improve educational standards at schools and college levels.
“Minor tinkering would do no good but major shift is required to bring about the needed change in our education system,” he commented.
On the occasion, he also attempted to dispel the impression that focus of HEC was restricted to science and technology.
It was stated that 30 per cent of all 1100 PhD scholarships, being provided to students in prestigious universities across the globe, were reserved for social sciences.
Dr Atta-ur-Rehman but commented with regret that social sciences faculty at local universities were extremely weak and projects submitted by them were found to be largely dismal.
“This in fact has emerged as a problem in general as I could witness mushrooming of universities that lack quality manpower,” he commented, adding that HEC is focussing at the very aspect and does not believe in starting buildings without proper faculty.
Fully conscious of the fact that social sciences is an integral part, he said government has already constituted a National Commission on Social Sciences, headed by Dr Ishrat Hussein (former governor of State Bank), with known economist Dr Shahid Burki as one of its members.
Reiterating that the government was absolutely alive to the massive changes taking place around the globe, the The HEC chairman said it is, therefore, that concerted efforts were being made to transform the agrarian economy of the country to knowledge-based economy.
SIUT director Prof Adib Rizvi, in his introductory remarks, congratulated Prof Atta-ur-Rehman on receiving fellowship of the Royal Society. He informed about his education “from primary education at Karachi Grammar School to PhD from Cambridge University.
He told the audience that Prof Saleemuzaman Siddiqi and few others had played a key role in his academic contribution. He said he has over 660 publications (451 research articles, 15 books and written chapters in 59 books). He has produced 68 PhD scientists.
In the end Prof Anwer Naqvi thanked the participants.—APP
