Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has given approval to the establishment of the Provincial Higher Education Commission in the Punjab whereas it has also been decided to set up state-of-the-art InformationTechnologyUniversity in the KnowledgePark. Free educational facilities would be provided to the poor but talented children in the InformationTechnologyUniversity.
This was decided in a high level meeting presided over by Shahbaz Sharif at the Chief Minister’s Office on Saturday. Various proposals regarding promotion of higher education in the province were considered in the meeting.
Shahbaz said that the Punjab government is taking concrete measures for promotion of higher and quality education in the province. He stressed the need for establishing institution like the Provincial Higher Education Commission for the promotion of higher education in the Punjab.
He said that universities play a very important role for promoting the process of research, therefore, special attention should be paid to the research in the universities. The chief minister said that the faculties in the universities should be harmonised with the modern demands of present era. He directed that comprehensive planning should be evolved for meeting the shortage of the Ph D scholars in the universities of the Punjab. He said that the Punjab government will provide all necessary resources for improving the standard of education in the universities of the province.
Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that another university will also be set up along with InformationTechnologyUniversity in the KnowledgePark. Constituting a high level committee regarding setting up second university in the KnowledgePark, he directed that the committee should submit its recommendations with regard to establishing another university by mid of April.
Shahbaz Sharif warned that no negligence and laxity will be tolerated in the programmes of promotion of education. He directed that the officials concerned should work hard for furthering the educational projects speedily. He directed that all secretaries should prepare comprehensive briefings with regard to performance of their departments, future projects and steps in this regard.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Punjab Assembly Member Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, additional chief secretary, Planning and Development chairman, vice chancellors of PunjabUniversity, University of Engineering and Technology, GujratUniversity, secretaries and senior officials of departments concerned attended the meeting.