ISLAMABAD: Education experts on Thursday urged the government to allocate 5pc of the GDP for education in the upcoming budget.

They also demanded involvement of stakeholders and end users across Pakistan in the policy formulation process along with equal opportunities of scholarships, research grants and faculty training both for the public and private sector.

Prof Dr Attaur Rahman, chairman of Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology said: “National education emergency is the need of the hour.”

He was speaking at a webinar titled ‘Budget 2021-22: Needs and Expectations of Higher Education Sector’ organised by Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan (APSUP), Superior University, Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan (IUCPSS), University of Lahore, Government College University Lahore and FPCCI Central CSR Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Prof Atta recommended an increase in allocation of funds to education by federal and provincial governments by 0.5pc annually till it reaches 5pc of the GDP over the next five years.

He said 33pc should go to higher education and the rest of the 67pc should be spent on schools, colleges and technical education. At least 5pc of all colleges should be converted to high level technical colleges with foreign collaboration to ensure high quality skilled workers and 5,000 students should be sent on scholarships for PhD to top 200 universities abroad annually to pursue emerging technologies.

He further suggested major national programmes for technology parks and promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, funding for knowledge economy task force projects in emerging areas of industrial and agricultural importance, promotion of high tech manufacturing and value added exports through appropriate policies and incentives.

He was of the view that the tenure track system of appointment of faculty members in universities should be revised to attract foreign faculty to Pakistan and the matric-tech programme in schools across Pakistan should be expanded in order to provide technical training at matric level.

Chairman of Vice Chancellors Committee and Quaid-i-Azam University VC Dr Mohammad Ali Shah suggested allocation of Rs150 billion in the new budget as a recurring budget in order to overcome the years long deficit and financial problems being faced by Pakistani universities.

Prof Dr Shafiqur Rehman, vice chancellor, University of Balochistan, Prof Dr Tayyaba Zarif, vice chancellor, Government College University Hyderabad, Mr Imran Masood, vice chancellor, University of South Asia and spokesperson APSUP, Prof Dr Gul Majid Khan, Vice Chancellor, Islamia College University Peshawar and Prof Dr Nek Mohammad Sheikh, Central President, FAPUASA, participated as panelists. The session was moderated by Mr Murtaza Noor, Executive Director, APSUP.

The stakeholders made recommendations like introducing a one-window facility for issuance of NOC and accreditation of academic programmes in order to avoid unnecessary delays, restoring role of Higher Education Commission (HEC) as a supportive and facilitative organisation, respecting autonomy of universities, restoring tax rebate to 75pc for teaching and research community, establishment of contributory fund for payment of pensions, encouraging role of private sector in higher education sector, revival of indigenous scholarship programme and special grants for mobility of sharing expertise, existing facilities, experience and knowledge.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021