LAHORE: The Punjab government signed on Friday three memorandums of understanding with two international universities -- COMSATS/University of Lancaster and Noor International University as well as an examining body -- International Scottish Qualification Authority, UK.

The MoUs were signed by Punjab Higher Education Secretary Abdullah Sumbal and representatives of international universities. The universities will set up their campuses at Knowledge Park to be established in Lahore.

These institutions will extend cooperation for the promotion of research in Punjab. They will also share their experiences and skills for promoting higher education in the province as well as award scholarships to students.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on the occasion the government would make all-out efforts to give practical shape to the agreements as early as possible.

He said the Knowledge Park was being set up over a large area in Lahore where prominent universities of the world would set up their campuses and promote the cause of quality education and research.

The chief minister said the Information Technology University would also be shifted to the Knowledge Park, while the kidney and liver research center as well as medical and other institutes would also be established in the park.

Mr Sharif said the Daanish Schools had been set up in South Punjab to counter the trends of extremism and educational facilities on a par with prestigious educational institutions of the country.

At these schools, he said, the children of extremely poor families were getting quality education free of cost.

British Council Pakistan’s country director Peter Upton said the Knowledge Park Conference was helpful for the government in identifying the process, resources and also aligned the need for doing a structured mapping and scoping study to assess geo-physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects for planning such mega projects.