Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting to discuss the short-term training of 1,000 agriculture professionals in China, a key initiative directed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The meeting was attended by the Secreatary Planning Mr. Awais Manzur Sumra, Secretary of Education, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), senior officials from the Ministry of Food, Ministry of Finance, and the CPEC Secretariat. During the meeting, the Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to prioritize individuals with the highest potential to ensure a strong return on investment from the training. He stressed that the selection process should be inclusive, ensuring representation from all provinces of Pakistan. Only candidates with the capacity for quality contribution to the agriculture sector should be considered for the program. The Planning Minister further stressed the importance of developing a structured action plan for the training initiative. The knowledge gained by these experts should be effectively utilized by provincial Planning and Development departments for further training and capacity-building initiatives. He highlighted the urgency of increasing investment in higher education, noting that Pakistan's tertiary education enrollment rate stands at 13%, significantly lower than other regional countries. He called for a coordinated effort between the Federal and Provincial Governments to match funds and address the resource gap in Higher Education. The Minister stressed that the project holds immense strategic importance, and a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) should be established within the implementing agency, utilizing existing staff. The first phase of the training will see 300 agriculture professionals sent to China, followed by a second batch of 300 and a third batch of 400. This phased approach will ensure better resource management and maximize the impact of the training program. The Minister directed that a committee be formed, including nominees from the HEC, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Planning, to monitor the progress of the project. This committee will convene every fortnight to review ongoing schemes.
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