The National Technology Council (NTC) has taken an important step towards attaining provisional signatory status of the Sydney Accord. The Accord is an international mutual recognition agreement for qualifications in the field of Engineering Technology, and its members are called signatories.

To apply for signatory status, aspiring countries must have two mentors recognized by the Sydney Accord who help in achieving provisional signatory status. For this purpose, NTC is working with Malaysia and New Zealand. New Zealand has nominated Dr. Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Vintage Lane Consulting Limited, NZ, as a mentor while Malaysia has yet to decide.

In this connection, an online meeting was organized, which was attended by Engr. Imtiaz H. Gilani, Chairman NTC, Mr. Bret Williams, General Manger, Global, Engineering, New Zealand, Dr. Paul Wilson, Mentor, Mr. Nasir Shah, Director General, Quality Assurance Agency, HEC, and Mr. Fahd Amin, Assistant Director NTC.

The Chairman NTC thanked Mr. Bret Williams and Mr. Paul Wilson for agreeing to help NTC achieve provisional signatory status. He explained that NTC is a subsidiary of HEC with full administrative, financial, and academic powers, with Chairman HEC as its controlling authority.  This autonomy is a fundamental requirement for signatory status.

The Chairman NTC said, “Becoming a signatory to the Sydney Accord will be a crucial step for the future for Pakistani engineering technology graduates and give our skilled manpower global recognition.”

“We at NTC are thankful to all the stakeholders, and with the continued support from HEC, we are hopeful to achieve the signatory status of the Sydney Accord,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that as part of the mentoring exercise, the mentor must physically be involved in one or two accreditation visits conducted by NTC. September 2024 has been tentatively decided as a suitable time for the visit of Paul Wilsons.

During the discussion, many queries were raised regarding procedures, delineation of HEC and NTC responsibilities as regulators to avoid duplication, frequency of regulatory visits etc. Mr. Imtiaz Gilani, Mr. Nasir Shah and Mr. Fahd Amin clarified issues to the complete satisfaction of Mr. Bret Williams and Mr. Paul Wilson.

Related: Policymakers needs to focus on standards of curriculum, Chairman NTC

Justices Ijaz Ibrahim and Shakil Ahmed, of Peshawar High Court (PHC), led the proceedings addressing the MDCAT retest case. One student, Arif, raised concerns during the session regarding potential severe consequences, including capital punishment, if there were any inaccuracies in the test results.

In response, Justice Ijaz Ibrahim questioned Arif’s focus on such extreme outcomes, reminding him of the importance of aspiring to become a doctor and urging trust in the judicial process. He highlighted the growing lack of faith in institutional integrity among the public and stressed the need to prevent similar incidents to the MDCAT retest from occurring in the future.

Emphasizing the ongoing registration and classes along with the retest conducted due to irregularities, Justice Ijaz Ibrahim stated that judicial intervention was not feasible, emphasizing the necessity for decisions to adhere to legal parameters.

The court subsequently dismissed all 35 petitions, advising the petitioners to redirect their efforts towards preparing for next year’s test rather than prolonging legal disputes.

Related: Peshawar High Court orders to re-conduct MDCAT 2023 in KP

USAID Mission Director Veerya Kate Somvongsiri embarked on a significant visit to the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), where she engaged in discussions with UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. During her visit, she toured the UAF Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, exploring various labs and field areas.

Somvongsiri commended the remarkable strides made by the UAF community, expressing USAID’s pride in establishing the CAS-AFS a decade ago. She highlighted the exceptional work undertaken by faculty and students in tackling contemporary agricultural challenges, emphasizing the global significance of addressing climate change. Recognizing the pivotal role of modern agriculture in fostering economic development, she underscored the importance of enhancing food security initiatives in Pakistan.

In alignment with these goals, Somvongsiri emphasized USAID’s strategic partnership with the university, aiming to collaboratively address agricultural challenges.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan reflected on the university’s journey since the formulation of the UAF Vision 2030 in 2013-14. Noting the achievements of surpassing 30,000 enrolled students and a research and development portfolio exceeding 20 billion, he outlined a forward-looking strategy to accommodate 60,000 students by 2050. Emphasizing inclusivity, he highlighted the university’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its diverse student body, including a range of amenities tailored to meet the needs of female students.

Dr. Khan further discussed the UAF’s ambitious ten-year agricultural strategic plan, envisioning a new era of agricultural development and prosperity. He lauded the faculty’s efforts, particularly in organizing the vibrant spring festival celebrations and achieving a record number of patents over the last 15 months, heralding a promising chapter of academic excellence.

The event was also attended by notable figures such as Director of the Office of Democracy, Rights, and Governance USAID, Shally Prasad, USAID Lahore Team Lead Arshia Bano, Dr. Sultan Habibullah, Director of Research Dr. Jafar Jaskani, Director of Public Relations Dr. Jalal Arif, Dr. Rizwana Maqbool, Dr. Saqib, and others, further underscoring the collaborative efforts towards agricultural advancement and academic excellence.

Related: New China-Funded Scholarship for UAF Students

China’s Consul General Zhao Shiren has announced plans to elevate the longstanding partnership between China and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) to unprecedented heights. In a meeting with UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, alongside Deans, Directors, and Chinese university alumni, Shiren unveiled a groundbreaking initiative: the launch of a merit and need-based scholarship project aimed at UAF students.

Emphasizing the enduring bond between China and Pakistan as one rooted in brotherhood and proven over time, Shiren highlighted the robust collaboration between the two nations across various sectors including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and education. He hailed the transformative potential of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in fostering development and fostering mutual prosperity.

Commending the leadership and faculty of UAF for their dedication to academic excellence and their contributions to addressing agricultural challenges, Shiren applauded the university’s pivotal role in nurturing talent and fostering innovation.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan underscored the deep educational ties between UAF and China, noting that 70 faculty members from UAF had pursued higher education in Chinese universities. He revealed the initiation of a Sino-Pak dual diploma program in modern agricultural technology, a collaboration between UAF and Ballie College China. Under this program, students will spend the first two years studying at UAF and the third year in China, facilitating cross-cultural exchange and knowledge transfer.

Highlighting UAF’s commitment to agricultural advancement, Dr. Khan cited the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties such as wheat, cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, and chickpeas, promising increased productivity per acre.

The collaborative spirit between UAF and Chinese academic institutions was further evidenced by the signing of 73 memoranda of understanding, fostering research partnerships and academic exchanges.

UAF’s international partnerships were also showcased, with notable establishments like the Pak-Korea Nutrition Center, the Center for Advanced Studies, and the Confucius Institute. Dr. Zahir Ahmed Zahir, Dean of the Confucius Institute, highlighted the Institute’s significant contributions since its inception in 2015, including the training of over 21,000 students in Chinese language skills and the implementation of cultural and research projects.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures from UAF, including Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Sarwar Khan, Deans representing various faculties, and key officials responsible for public relations, community engagement, and development planning. Together, they heralded a new era of collaboration and academic excellence between UAF and China, poised to shape the future of agricultural innovation and cross-cultural understanding.

Related: SU, UAF Vice-Chancellors agree to carry out joint research