ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has expressed its aim to further strengthen academic relations with the Turkish higher education institutions, as the two countries enjoy strong historical fraternal bonds at all levels.
This was stated by HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri while talking to Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, who called on him here on Wednesday, a press release said.
Dr Banuri stressed the need for expanding the scope of collaborative endeavours between Pakistan and Turkey.
He said Islamabad National University (INU) has been launched at the Prime Minister’s House which will conduct research in areas relevant to national needs.
Dr Banuri added that Prime Minister Imran Khan wants this university to be a paramount institution which may attract scholars and students from across the world.
He added that the work is underway on involving partner countries and volunteers in conceptualising and implementing the idea.
Expressing his interest in the INU, the Turkish ambassador assured Dr Banuri of his all-out support in the initiatives meant to make INU a world-class university.
He informed the chairman that he recently visited a number of Pakistani universities to explore avenues for academic collaboration in high-quality research.
He said Turkey wants to deepen educational relations with Pakistan, as it believes education is the key to progress and prosperity.
He mentioned Turkey’s support in setting up a Centre of Excellence for vocational training. Collaborative research sponsored through HEC and Turkish higher education authority will be mutually beneficial and will help prepare quality human resources in both countries.
The chairman informed the ambassador about HEC’s plan to set up National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) to provide training to potential university leadership, faculty, and university staffs.
He said the premier is committed to educational reforms, especially bringing madrassas into the national mainstream. Turkish experiment in the area is useful for Pakistan, he added.
To this, the ambassador said the Turkish universities’ managerial system is being channelised and Turkey will extend all possible support in materialising the HEC’s plan of establishing NAHE.
