BAHAWALPUR– Vice Chancellors of 12 universities participated in the second day of the high level consultative meeting on Education Policy 2021 in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
The event was organized by the Department of Education, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and the Inter-University Consortium for the Promotion of Social Sciences, the session agreed to make joint efforts at all levels for development and higher standards in the field of higher education and research.
It was recommended that while formulating the outline of education policy, a consensus strategy should be formulated keeping in view the views of all stakeholders, policy makers, teachers, students, parents and others, reflecting the national aspirations.
At the beginning of the consultative meeting, Mohi-ud-Din Wani, Additional Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, briefed about the purpose and characteristics of the National Education Policy 2021.
Host Vice Chancellor Engineer Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob said that the National Education Policy should be formulated keeping in view our national ideology and current national and international challenges. He thanked the Vice Chancellors, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the participants of the Inter-University Consortium at the ongoing consultative meeting at Islamia University Bahawalpur. Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Vice Chancellor,
Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan said that collective decision making should be given priority and clear policies regarding online education system should be formulated. Prof. Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, said that we are currently undergoing a major transformation in the field of education and on this occasion coordination between faculty and students is very important and policy makers also need to be aware of their views so that more proactive policies can be formulated. Prof. Dr. Amir Ijaz, Vice Chancellor, MNS University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, emphasized on uniform and standard curriculum and briefed the industry and academia.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Vice Chancellor, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, emphasized on single education system and education excellence. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor, National Skills University, Islamabad, appreciated the conduct of the consultative workshop at Jamia Islamia, Bahawalpur and called for high level scientific research.
Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi, Vice Chancellor, Women University Multan in her address said that implementation of policies is the real challenge and new universities are facing lack of resources. Faculty development programs, funding support, infrastructure improvements and simplification of laws are essential.
Prof. Hameed Raza Siddiqui Member Syndicate Islamia University Bahawalpur while mentioning the importance of social sciences said that these sciences are very important in solving social and economic problems.
Prof. Dr. Shahida Sajjad, Vice Chancellor, Malir University of Science and Technology, Karachi spoke on direct admission to PhD from the four-year BS program. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asghar Hashmi, Registrar, Khawaja Farid University of Engineering and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan informed about the need for online education and related policy guidelines.
Prof. Dr. Jawad Iqbal, Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Islamic University, Bahawalpur, highlighted the role of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research in improving standards in social and scientific sciences and PhD in madrassas. Dr. Mubashir Gulzar NFC Institute of Engineering Multan said that accreditation institutes have an important role to play in improving the quality of education and quality and geography should also be taken into consideration in the affiliated colleges.
Ayesha Zahid of Superior University emphasized on curriculum development and promotion of international relations. Dr. Aurangzeb Khan, Secretary General, Private Universities Association, appreciated the cooperation of the Higher Education Commission and the ongoing efforts in formulating the education policy. Prof. Dr. Irshad Hussain, Focal Person of the Consultative Meeting, gave a detailed briefing on the four-day Consultative Meeting and said that the recommendations of all stakeholders would be communicated to the policy makers.
Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator, Inter-University Consortium, said that consultations held at the level of Vice Chancellors is to focus on education as well as role building in the institutions so that students can become peaceful and active citizens. The role of Student Societies is very important for the meaningful and active participation of students. Therefore, student societies should be encouraged and resources should be provided to them for the promotion of extra-curricular activities.— PRESS RELEASE
