Minister for School & Higher Education and Youth Affairs Punjab, Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan interacted a with the faculty members of Balochistan Universities during Professional Development Workshop organized by Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS).
The workshop was designed in support with National Testing Service (NTS) Pakistan and government of Balochistan at faculty development academy of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology for 22 faculty members from higher education institutions of Balochistan.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission, Dr. Dr. S.M Junaid Zaidi Rector CIIT Islamabad, Dr. Haroon Rashid CEO NTS Pakistan, S.M Junaid Director Faculty Development Academy and Muhammad Murtaza Noor the National Coordinator for Inter University Consortium were also present on the occasion.
Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, on the behalf of government and people of Punjab, appreciated the efforts of organizers Inter University Consortium, COMATS, government of Balochistan and especially NTS for introducing effective and credible testing & assessment system and supporting useful initiatives aiming at professional development of university faculty from far flung areas of the country. While appreciating the contribution CIIT, he stated that the institute has undertaken a number of useful initiatives for internalization of higher education in Pakistan through foreign collaborations and joint academic programs with leading foreign universities. He added that Punjab government is always working closely with Balochistan government in school and higher education sector and especially encouraging youth of Balochistan for higher education studies at leading universities of the Punjab.
He said that realizing the importance of higher education and knowledge economy, Government of Punjab has already established Punjab Higher Education Commission which has been mandated to cater the growing needs of the province in higher education sector and bringing the provincial higher education institutions at par with international standard. With special focus on professional development of universities, colleges’ faculty and staff, Punjab HEC has already established two training academics at Lahore and Multan.
“Availing the experience and expertise of COMATS Institute of Information Technology in professional development of university faculty and staff, Punjab’s 3rd training academy for the universities and colleges from northern Punjab would be established at Rawalpindi”, the minister remarked.
The education minister also witnessed MOU Signing Ceremony between Punjab HEC and CIIT Islamabad. He also vowed to continue for undertaking collaborative efforts with CIIT for promotion of higher education and preservation of cultural heritage in Punjab.
The provincial education minister along with chairperson Punjab HEC also visited various academic blocks and central library of CIIT.