Islamabad: The closing plenary of Pak-UK Education Gateway Virtual Conference to provide an oppertunity to connect, rethink and reshape programs and priorities between two countries held today. President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood, Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri, Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner Mike Nithavrianakis and other senior diplomats from British Council U.K and Pakistan addressed the conference.
While addressing the conference, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood acknowledged the efforts of HEC and British Council in executing this promising Rs. 1.9 billion Joint Project, which in current setting of pandemic is of immense importance. Mahmood said that Pakistan’s 150 million young people are Pakistan’s greatest asset and by investing in our youth’s development , the government aims to generate an educated workforce, build empathy and tolerance and rapidly improve Pakistan’s position in the global market. Mahmood also commended the important role and cooperation of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), UKaid, and British Council to help Pakistan in achieving that goal.
Federal Minister underscored that programmes like Pak-UK Education Gateway are an enabler for our country’s Higher Education sector to establish standards for excellence in teaching and research, promoting transnational education and to respect for social diversity and reciprocity. The Minister said that first Open and distance learning policy of Pakistan’s HE scetor is being developed that will enable more than 200 HEIs of the country and help us empower our two million students.
Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood reaffirmed complete and unconditional support of the government of Pakistan for the advancement of education in Pakistan and also expressed his deepest appreciation to government of UK for consistently lending Pakistan a hand in this pursuit.
President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, during his closing remarks appreciated the efforts of Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training for untiring efforts towards hybrid education and distance learning programs.