Karachi: Education and Professional Training Madad Ali Sindhi announced establishment of centres of Excellence at National Skills University and Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM) with support of Finland.

Speaking with Ambassador of Finland to Pakistan Hannu Ripatti, along with delegation in meeting held here Madad Ali Sindhi welcoming delegation said that exchange of expertise and knowledge regarding Vocational and Technical Training between two countries can upgrade existing institutions in Pakistan.

He and Ambassador agreed in principle to establish centre of excellence at National Skills University which will focus on hotel and restaurant industry in addition with construction, IT, teachers training and engineering studies with help of Turku Municipality of Finland.

Similarly, centre of excellence will be established at Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in collaboration with Turku Municipality of Finland. Minister said that in field of non-formal education, National Skills University (NSU), Islamabad is providing technical skills to Pakistani youth, which can be enhanced to be Skill Learning Centre for current and aspiring Pakistani youth to work abroad.

Ambassador of Finland to Pakistan Hannu Ripatti informed Minister about ongoing collaboration between government of Finland and Pakistan and stated that they are already providing vocational training at NUTECH and NUST.

Ambassador told Minister that two Finnish universities are already providing technical and human expertise to these institutions. He informed Minister that approximately 500 people were already under training.

He informed him that with help of government of Finland NUTECH has already expanded its one-year diploma course to 3-year course in field of hotel and restaurant management.

Madad Ali Sindhi praised literacy rate of Finland and the high quality of education that their public sector provides to its entire population. Sindhi raised pressing concern of out of out-of-school children in Pakistan. He said that it is of utmost importance and that it is one of biggest challenges that Pakistan faces today. Ambassador of Finland shared experience of Finland and apprised Minister about policies adopted by government of Finland to overcome these problems. Both dignitaries agreed to work together on enhancing cooperation in field of education.

Sindhi said that our goal is to lay foundation in such way that it can push future governments to perform at same level of commitment and devotion to serve people of our country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 01 2023

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