LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and the National Examination and Evaluation Foundation (NEEF) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide training to the faculty and help in establishing community colleges.

Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz was the chief guest at the signing ceremony held at PHEC headquarters.

PHEC Chairman Prof Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid and NEEF Executive Director Hashir Ibn Irshad attended the ceremony virtually. PHEC Director Dr Hafiz Haider Ali and NEEF Deputy Director Irum Shahzadi signed the documents.

Under the MoU, both parties have agreed to collaborate and facilitate programmes related to the Community Colleges Initiative in Punjab, specifically for the project, titled Smart Technical Education Programme (STEP).

American and Pakistani experts would train faculty, administrators and PHEC officials and a two-day training workshop would be organised in Lahore by two US-based experts.

Other activities included STEP student ambassadors’ programme, social media platforms for active interaction, hosting industry leaders conferences at nine colleges, online lecture series integration with each programme (100 lecture series), and curriculum development.

The NEEF will assist the PHEC in curriculum development as per international standards to continue associate degree programmes in colleges.

Meanwhile, the minister visited different Ramazan Bazaars in the city and checked availability of basic food items, including sugar, wheat and vegetables. He also checked basic facilities for citizens, inquired about service delivery from the visitors and directed officials to address any issues without delay.

He said Rs5.5 billion had been sanctioned for establishing 313 Ramazan Bazaars all over Punjab to provide subsidized food items, including wheat, flour and sugar.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2021