ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Thursday to come up with a strategy to make higher education in the country compatible with trends in the world.

“New developments and changing technology are re-defining the paradigm in higher education,” he said during a meeting that reviewed various projects in the country.

“Pakistan needs to catch up with them through a new vision for higher education like Vision 2025 which focuses on sustained economic growth,” he added.

He said the Strategic Framework 2025 would set a direction for higher education for the next decade, adding that the HEC should hold consultations with experts and provide implementation guidelines for five years.

“Regulatory framework ensuring quality education should be made more stringent,” said Mr Iqbal. There was a need to create awareness among citizens about unauthorised universities, he added.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2016