ISLAMABAD: Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain on Monday informed a meeting that Saudi Arabia had in principle agreed to recognise degrees of Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University.

“Saudi side agreed to review the recognition of Pakistani degrees based on distance learning model from HEC recognised Universities,” the minster quoted as saying in the meeting, he chaired on Monday to share his visit to Saudi Arabia outcome of with officials of ministry and subordinate organisations.

An official of the education ministry, who was part of the Pakistani delegation, told Dawn that Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) were not accepting graduates of AIOU and Virtual University for jobs, however, education minster successfully convinced Saudi authorities that these two universities are recognized distance learning universities of Pakistan. He said that Saudi officials in principle agreed that they would review their decision.

“This is big achievement of Pakistan as thousands of Pakistani graduates of AIUO and Virtual University, after formal announcement by Saudi government, will be able to get opportunity to get jobs in Saudi Arabia,” the official said.

During the meeting, the education minster also called for immediate formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to be constituted by officers of ministry of education, Saudi officials and representatives from respective embassies in both countries.

The minister told the meeting that keeping in view the 2030 vision of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: “we need to enhance the skill of Pakistani workforce so that they can meet the future labour requirement of Saudi Arabia,” he said and added that during his visit, it was agreed that Technical and Vocational Training Corporation of Saudi Arabia (TVTC) will assist in identifying the exact trades and areas of expertise required in KSA, in order to assist Pakistani side to train its workforce accordingly.

Rana Tanveer said: “We need to look ahead and plan for the future of the country,” he said and added that owing to Saudi willingness to invest in enhancing skill set of Pakistani workforce a comprehensive proposal for uplifting of National Skills University should be presented to them.

The education minister said that Saudi Arabia counterparts have also agreed to resume 600 Scholarships being offered by Saudi universities through Higher Education Commission.

Earlier, these scholarships were dealt directly by Saudi Universities.

During his visit, Pakistani minister met Saudi Education Minister, Governor, Rector Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Riyadh, and director of Global Education, etc.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2022