Federal
Minister for Education and Professional Training Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur
Rehman has declared Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad as flagship institution.
The Federal Minister was addressing
a function to celebrate ranking of Quaid-i-Azam University among top 500
Universities of the world in Times Higher Education Ranking 2017-18 at
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad on Wednesday.
He said it is matter of great
satisfaction for me to be here in your presence to mark a remarkable
achievement-that of the Quaid-i-Azam University rising for the second time in
its 50 year history to the Global top 500 universities in a major international
ranking, he said.
Back in 2014-15 the University did Pakistan
proud by achieving this distinction in the US News & World Report Rankings,
and in 2017, you have demonstrated your commitment to excellence by an even
better performance in the Times Rankings for Higher Education, he
maintained.
He said that it was great
achievement that Quaid-i-Azam University earned good name in the world despite meagre
resources. Today I declare this University a flagship institute, he said.
Baligh Ur Rehman said that he would
minutely look into all the issues of Quaid-i-Azam University and government
would fully support Quaid-i-Azam University to resolve its issues.
He also said that government would
fully support Quaid-i-Azam University to clear its land from encroachers.
He said that promotion of education
in the country is the top most priority of the present government.
He said that today number of out of
school children in the country is reducing, adding that our net enrolment has
been increased from 68% to 76%.
The Federal Minister said that any
nation who wants to progress must be optimistic and dispel disappointment.
The Federal Minister said that there
must be zero tolerance for the use of drugs among the university students and
universities should formulate policy to tackle this menace among the students.
He urged that along with imparting
knowledge to students and making them good scientists universities must also
teach them moral values and make them good human being to serve the society.
Baligh Ur Rehman also emphasized the
need of link between industry and academia for enhancing productivity and
economic growth.
He noted that Pakistan is moving on
the path of progress as its economy is boosting and GDP growth rate is
increasing every year.
At end, the federal minister
congratulated the entire QAU community especially the faculty and students for
the Global Top 500 Ranking, adding that the government and the entire nation
are proud of you.
