KARACHI, May 1: Speakers at an international conference on Saturday stressed that due importance be given to polytechnic education and training for the mid-level technical manpower.
They were discussing growing challenges and the ISO standards with focus on "The role of mid-level engineers in infrastructure development for poverty alleviation," being the topic of the three day conference organized by the Pakistan Diploma Engineer's Federation (PDEF).
At the inauguration session of the 3rd Convention of the SAARC Diploma Engineers Forum (SDEF) and the 6th Apex Body meet, the Forum's representatives suggested that the their governments should adopt a joint stand and urge the world community that the implementation of the GATT in Saarc countries be delayed for 10 years for the domestic preparation for the new order of the global economy.
The chief guest, Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, said that Pakistan was implementing a direct anti-poverty programme encompassing five major areas. He said the country had started integrated small public works programme in urban, as well as rural, areas providing basic services like farm-to-market roads, water supply, sanitation etc.
Essential commodities like wheat, sugar, edible oil, etc. were being provided to the poor population under the food supplement programme, and financial assistance was also being provided to the them through local governments.
The government has established micro credit bank to help the poor in acquiring loans for productive purchases and small business enterprises. Steps are being taken to reduce illiteracy and improve primary health care system.
Mr Soomro noted that the convention laid focus on poverty alleviation which was the key target for meaningful development and appeared to be the burning issue in all developing countries around the globe, particularly in the Saarc region.
He observed that mid-level engineering and allied professions had a significant role to play in supporting the poverty alleviation programme and it would soon open new avenues for increasing employment opportunities for the engineers.
Earlier, the SDEF chief, Khadja K. C. (from Nepal) and secretary-general A. K. M. A. Hamid (Bangladesh) said that diploma engineers formed the bulk of the engineering team comprising degree engineers, diploma engineers, and skilled/ semi-skilled workers and they translated the design and plan, thus to supervise the work for ensuring right quality and quantity.
They said that the Forum integrated over 1.3 million engineers under its fold for professional enhancement, uniformity, solidarity leading eventually to a sustainable socio-economic growth, peace and solidarity among nearly 1.4 billion people of the Saarc region. They suggested that a 'joint effort forum' be established to contain global pressure on any individual economy in the region.
PDEF chief Akhlaq Ahmad said that mid-level engineers provided valuable workforce to support the overall engineering-related industry.
Visiting delegates Min Prasad Bhandari (Nepal), Benedict Ulluwishewa (Sri Lanka) and Rafiqul Islam Bhuyan (Bangladesh) gave brief presentations. Delegates from India and the Maldives could not turn up at the inaugural session.