LAHORE, March 24: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has stressed that higher education institutions must focus on conducting research and creating new knowledge.

Speaking at the first convocation of the Beaconhouse National University (BNU) at Aiwan-i-Iqbal on Saturday, he said research could help boost the country’s economy as all world economies had become knowledge driven. Citing an example, he said, even research on increasing milk production per cow could help boost Pakistan’s economy by Rs3 billion a year.

The governor said the government was focusing on higher education and providing generous funding. At present, he said, about 2,800 students were enrolled for PhD studies. He said every university had been digitised and given access to latest research journals. He said the government was also monitoring the usage of funds and ensuring that it delivers results.

Mr Maqbool said the education sector was facing a couple of challenges, including shortage of quality faculty.

He stressed that the private sector must come up to share the responsibility of imparting quality education. He said the government was also funding private sector universities and referred the Punjab government’s funding to the Lahore University of Management Sciences and Forman Christian College, a chartered university.

He also lauded the BNU for acquiring services of qualified faculty and developing curriculum on modern lines.

Earlier, BNU vice-chancellor Sartaj Aziz said the varsity was opened some three and a half years ago and developed a non-profit character combined with its scholarship programme to ensure that quality education must remain within the reach of students from middle income families. He said the varsity had some 700 students, including 17 from seven Saarc countries. He said the varsity would admit more students as it would shift to its new campus. The new purpose-built campus on 35 acres would be ready for shifting early next year.

Referring to the quality of education being imparted at the university, he said as many as 54 graduates out of a total of 55, who received degree at the convocation, had already been employed.

“The job market is the best judge of the quality of education offered by an institution,” he added.

The Punjab governor conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Culture Studies upon Ms Margherita Boniver, former minister of state for foreign affairs, Italy. He also presented medals to the position holders in different disciplines.

The graduates of master of school administration, MA mass communication, MA English Literature and BA (Honours) in theatre, film and TV received their degrees at the convocation.

Ms Margherita Boniver also spoke on the occasion. Foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and BNU foundation chairperson Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri were also present on the occasion.