A 40-member delegation, comprising students from various universities of Bangladesh, visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Thursday as part of their study tour to Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, HEC Chairman Dr Javaid Leghari said that universities have a leadership role in any society and modern universities were an integral part of the community and the region in which they are located. The chairman urged the students to contribute for the economic prosperity of region. The students in their remarks greatly admired the quality of teaching, research, infrastructure, digital library facility and development in higher education sector of Pakistan. They also congratulated the HEC on inclusion of three Pakistani universities in top world universities and seven Pakistani HEIs in top 300 Asian universities. The delegation head informed that on the line of Pakistani successful higher education model, Bangladesh is converting the University Grants Commission to HEC. The delegation visited leading higher education institutions of Pakistan in major cities of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Abbottabad and exchanged views with the vice chancellors, faculty and students. This tour was arranged by the HEC under student exchange programme. In their remarks, the students emphasised over more educational linkages and active, effective role of SAARC, a regional organisation established by seven south Asian countries to undertake cooperation among the member countries. “We share common religion, problems and cultural heritage which can be strong binding force to bring the both countries closer to one another and we are proud of development of higher education in Pakistan, as our neighbouring country,” said a student. Another student said that after visiting HEC and Pakistani universities and interaction with leadership of HEC, faculty and students, our mindset about Pakistan has been totally changed. Another student said, “We need to organise more student exchange programmes.”
