LAHORE, Sept 1: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Wednesday that the additional role of universities in the human resource development was being ensured.

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting on promotion of higher education. Education Minister Imran Masood and senior government officials were also present.

He said a university would be established in Gujrat, which would play an active role in strengthening the industrial sector and promoting education. He said technical training would be arranged at the university for backing up the sports, surgical, ceramics, textile, leather, furniture and other industries.

He said the University of Gujrat would play an active role in the progress of Sialkot, Gujranwala, Wazirabad and other industrial cities. It would produce experts for the promotion of technical education and administrative and technical consultation for the local industry.

The chief minister said a comprehensive strategy had been evolved to make international research a part of the syllabi of all universities. The planning for the promotion of higher education would enhance the level of education at these universities, he added.

He said solid steps were being taken to give a practical shape to the teachers' training programme. A new administrative structure had been created to implement the education reform programme in all districts in its true perspective.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Honorary Consul-General Zia Haider Rizvi called on the chief minister and exchanged views on the possibilities of foreign investment in the Punjab and the relations between the two countries.

Pervaiz Elahi said international institutions and big time foreign investors were expressing their interest in economic projects in Pakistan because of favourable environment.