A delegation of US Embassy in Pakistan led by Counselor for Public Affairs Christina Tomlinson held a meeting with Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms Prof. Ahsan Iqbal to discuss the modalities to establish Pak-US Knowledge Corridor. Both sides agreed that this initiative should be materialized at its earliest and vowed to work speedily and jointly.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to develop an institutional framework to implement knowledge corridor initiative in USA universities and opined that Pakistani Diaspora, which is well-connected in US society can help to realize this objective.
Minister said, “Two countries agreed on Pak-US Knowledge Corridor during PM’s US visit to further the bilateral ties between the two countries in education and science & technology. The top leadership of both countries laid the foundation of this corridor. It is now our duty to translate it into tangible results as early as possible.
Appreciating the high standard of education in USA universities, Ahsan Iqbal said that this knowledge corridor envisions partnership between Pakistan and USA universities to prepare ten thousands Phds in next ten years for the country. , Pakistan needs 10000 Phds by 2025 to fulfill present government’s initiative to set up sub-campus of universities at district levels and to fulfil the needs of faculty at these campuses.
Minister admired the quality of universities in USA and said that these are backbone of USA’s success. We want greater linkage with the universities in USA to bring benefit for our youth.
Ahsan Iqbal said that knowledge corridor would help to enhance the ratio of Pakistani students in USA universities, which is presently very low compared to other countries in South Asia. The large number of students through this corridor in USA universities would be “agents of change” when they return to Pakistan.
The Minister said that Pakistan need to learn from software of US universities to take our own universities to international standards as well as improve industry-academia link, which is currently non-existent in our country.
The members of US Embassy delegation appreciated the idea and vision of Federal Minister Planning & Development to establish Pak-US Knowledge Corridor and assured that US would be fully supportive to realize this objective.
PREVIOUS NEXT
