Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) Mr Ahsan Iqbal held a meeting with a delegation led by Mr. Steve Smith, the UK Government’s International Education Champion, along with officials of the British High Commission, including County Director Pakistan, James Hampson, and Jo Moir, Director of Development, British High Commission.

Minister Iqbal discussed key recommendations aimed at fostering closer ties and enhancing collaboration between educational institutions in both countries. The recommendations proposed by the Minister included initiating faculty training programs to bolster academic expertise across borders, encouraging UK universities to establish campuses in Pakistan to promote educational accessibility, and harnessing the expertise of Pakistani scholars in UK universities to develop specialized knowledge clusters on Pakistan, facilitating stronger academia-to-masses connections.

Highlighting the imperative for joint research initiatives, Minister Iqbal emphasized the importance of establishing joint research groups and fostering collaborations between PhD scholars from both countries. “Pakistan envisions a future where universities in Pakistan are categorized into the Champions League (having first-tier universities) and the National League (having second-tier universities), driving excellence and accessibility in higher education,” stated Minister Iqbal.

Echoing the sentiment, Mr. Steve Smith reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to fostering international partnerships in education, citing the presence of over 20,000 Pakistani students in the UK and 8,000 students pursuing degree programs in Pakistan supported by the British government.

Recalling transformative steps taken by the Pakistani government to enhance higher education standards, the Minister told the delegation, “In the last tenure, I worked hard with HEC to develop a quality assurance model in consultation with the UK. As a result, a new performance audit was conducted for every university to improve the quality of higher education in Pakistan.”

Highlighting the power of collaboration between the UK and Pakistan, the Minister stated that the Revamped Quality Assurance (QA) Framework for Higher Education in Pakistan, which was launched in 2023, was made possible through extensive support by the British Council Pakistan. The Performance Audit Framework of HEC is aligned with the Government of Pakistan’s seven themes on Quality Assurance for higher education.

The Revamped QA Framework represents a paradigm shift in how higher education quality is assessed, maintained, and enhanced. Crafted through collaboration with renowned British experts, the framework aligns with global best practices while addressing the unique needs of the Pakistani education landscape. The Revamped QA Framework enhances the recognition and reputation of Pakistani institutions on the global stage. It promotes collaboration, quality enhancement, and academic integrity.

Drawing comparison with South Asian countries, Minister Ahsan Iqbal said, “School enrollment in India at the tertiary level is 31.57 percent, in Bangladesh it is 22.84 percent, while in Pakistan it is 12.5 percent according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, a study done in 2022.” Pakistan is developing a knowledge ecosystem that will attract people to pursue higher education. The Minister emphasized that the government is dedicated to ensuring that every young person who is capable of pursuing higher education must have access to a university.

Addressing regulatory challenges, both sides underscored the need for streamlined regulations, with a particular emphasis on minimizing hurdles for universities and strengthening the link between research institutions and economic growth. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further dialogue and concrete action towards realizing the outlined recommendations, solidifying the foundation for enduring academic cooperation between the two countries.

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A one-day national workshop on “Educational Policy Development and Analysis” was held at Main Campus, Township of University of Education (UoE) Lahore. The event was organized by the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, UoE.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Nizam ud Din, Pro Rector, Superior University, who emphasized the importance of evidence-based policy making in education. “Policies should be informed by research and data, rather than intuition or personal biases,” he said. “Only then can we ensure that our education system is equitable, inclusive, and effective in preparing our students for the challenges of the 21st century.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Alam Saeed, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the need for continuous professional development of educators and policymakers. “Education is a dynamic field, and we must stay abreast of the latest trends and research to provide high-quality education to our students,” he said. “Workshops like this provide a valuable opportunity for us to come together, share our experiences, and learn from each other.”

Dr. Ijaza Ahmed Tatlah, the host of the event, briefed the participants on the objectives of the workshop. The workshop featured renowned resource persons, including Ms. Navera Abrar, Dr. Kiran Hashmi, and Ms. Faiqa Asim from the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Karachi. Prof. Dr. Ayaz Muhammad Khan, Director, UE Division of Education, extended a warm welcome to the guests and participants.

The workshop aimed to bring together educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss and analyze the latest trends and challenges in educational policy development. The event provided a platform for participants to share their experiences, best practices, and research findings, and to explore ways to improve the quality of education in Pakistan. Dr. Muhamamd Anwer, Dr. Naima Qureshi, Dr.Qudsia Fatima, Prof. Dr. Ashaq Hussain Dogar, Dr. Muhammad Amin and large number of students were also present on this occasion.

Related: UoE and Birmingham University Collaborate

In a landmark move aimed at fostering educational empowerment, Alkhidmat Foundation, Riphah International University, and the Palestine Embassy in Pakistan have joined hands to provide comprehensive support to Palestinian students. The partnership, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held in Islamabad, marks a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities for Palestinian youth.

The MoU, signed by Prof. Dr. Hafeez, President of Alkhidmat Foundation, Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Riphah University, and Ambassador Rabaie Ahmed, Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan, outlines plans to offer full scholarships to 100 Palestinian students. These scholarships will cover tuition fees and living expenses, easing the financial burden on aspiring scholars.

The collaborative initiative aims not only to provide educational support but also to facilitate the immigration process for Palestinian students wishing to study in Pakistan. By extending a welcoming hand to Palestinian youth, the partnership seeks to create an environment conducive to academic growth and cross-cultural exchange.

The signing ceremony, held amidst a backdrop of enthusiasm and camaraderie, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries from all three organizations. Syed Waqas Jafri, Secretary General of Alkhidmat Foundation, and Ahmad Jibran Bloch, National Director of Education at Alkhidmat, graced the occasion alongside representatives from Riphah University and the Palestine Embassy in Pakistan.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Hafeez emphasized the importance of education as a tool for empowerment and solidarity. He expressed Alkhidmat’s commitment to supporting marginalized communities worldwide, reaffirming the organization’s dedication to humanitarian causes.

Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad echoed these sentiments, highlighting the transformative potential of education in shaping a brighter future for Palestinian students. He stressed the significance of international partnerships in fostering global cooperation and understanding.

Ambassador Rabaie Ahmed expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts aimed at uplifting Palestinian youth. He lauded the initiative as a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Palestine, rooted in shared values of solidarity and compassion.

The partnership between Alkhidmat Foundation, Riphah University, and the Palestine Embassy stands as a beacon of hope for Palestinian students aspiring to pursue higher education. Through this historic collaboration, the three organizations pledge to nurture talent, promote academic excellence, and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable world.

Related: Bahria University Students Donate to Alkhidmat for Palestinian Relief