ISLAMABAD: “Providing skill-based knowledge to students could better help in accelerating and uplifting national economic growth” this was crux of a meeting held between Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad and Vice-Chancellor University of Sargodha (UoS) Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas.

Both discussed issues and challenges related to higher education. Dr Mukhtar Ahmad stated, “Education, skills and technical training are at heart of economic growth that is sustainable, inclusive and adds value.” Both latent and active workforces need to be built up for future investment and self-employment.  “He added that management training programmes and business incubators can help with this.”

Dr Mukhtar expressed that effective industry participation is one of most important parts of skill development system that is missing in Pakistan. He said this makes it harder for graduates to get skills that employers want and makes businesses less competitive. There is a dire need to focus on training as an investment to produce technically equipped students who could better compete in the market, said Dr Qaisar Abbas said unequivocal and clearly articulated national agenda for skill development should be introduced as a policy at higher education institutions.

Liaison between industry and academia is essential for transforming higher education sector into industry and enabling it to compete on a global scale.  HEC Chairman praised VC for his work to educate people from underprivileged groups and told him to focus on quality of education if he wanted to make real changes in society.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 30 2022

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