PM Abbasi performs groundbreaking of Air University’s aviation campus

KAMRA: Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking of Air University Aerospace and Aviation Campus here at the newly established Aviation City and called for greater focus on indigenous efforts to confront the challenges ahead.

Addressing a ceremony after unveiling the plaque of the Air University campus, the prime minister termed this strategic initiative as laudable for Pakistan’s national, regional and international significance.

The PM prayed for the progress and prosperity of this premier institution and said that Pakistan has considerable and valuable aviation assets to meet the needs of both civil and defence sectors. He added that the integration of national and global aviation industry would augment Pakistan’s technological base.

“I am confident that this campus will play a central role beyond the academics to integrate technology, training, operations, maintenance and management of our national assets,” PM Abbasi said. “I hope indigenous manufacturing of high-tech aviation products will meet our national needs along with boosting the economy,” he added.

“Our government puts the highest premium on human resource development for the provision of competent leadership, skilled manpower and think tanks for all walks of life,” the prime minister said.

He pointed that the government has increased spending on education and was anticipating substantial improvement in country’s human resource. He added that the government provides the funding, it was incumbent upon the faculty of universities to impart quality education to the students for industrial and technological development. “I am glad that Air University has made its mark in the higher education sector,” he said.

The event was also attended by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, federal ministers, high ranking defence and civil officers along with heads of various academic institutions.

The air chief in his address said the realisation of Air University Aerospace and Aviation Campus was part of the strategic vision of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to develop industry-academia linkage in the form of Aviation City.

“It is heartening to share that this strategic initiative also holds significant potential to attract a large number of international scholars and trainees who, besides providing intellectual exchange, would enhance Pakistan’s image with obvious economic and diplomatic gains,” he said. He added that the campus would play a significant role in addressing the new emerging geopolitical realities in the region.

The prime minister acknowledged PAF’s commitment towards the development of aviation industry and promotion of higher education in less privileged areas of Pakistan.