Education, skills development key to take Pakistan into ranks of developed nations: Minister Qaiser Sheikh

FAISALABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said on Thursday that Pakistan could only accelerate its journey towards the ranks of developed nations by making education, training and skills development as a national priority.

Addressing the inauguration and orientation ceremony of Richmond Institute of Higher Education at a local hotel as chief guest, he stressed that the country could no longer afford to divert attention and resources away from the sectors that shaped its human capital and economic future.

He said that Pakistan had not given education the attention it deserved over the years while national resources continued to be consumed by other sectors, preventing the country from achieving the desired pace of development.

He said that national economic and social progress was closely linked with the quality of its human resources, and meaningful investment in education and skills were essential for building a productive, competitive and self-reliant Pakistan.

He said that political and institutional differences should be set aside in the greater national interest and all stakeholders should develop consensus on a “Charter of Economy” to ensure continuity in economic policies and create a stable environment for investment, business and sustainable development.

He stressed that education and healthcare were among the most fundamental pillars of national development and deserved to remain at top of the country’s priorities.

Pakistan was spending only a limited share of its GDP on education while more than 25 million children remained out of school, making comprehensive reforms and wider access to quality education an urgent national necessity, he added.

The federal minister said that merely increasing enrollment would not be enough unless children were provided meaningful, quality education capable of preparing them for the rapidly changing requirements of the modern world.

The country needed an education system that could develop knowledge, creativity, practical competence and responsible social behavior among young people, he added.

Giving example of China, Qaiser Sheikh said that the country had achieved remarkable economic and social transformation by consistently focusing on education, training and skills development.

Pakistan could draw valuable lessons from this experience by equipping its young population not only with academic knowledge but also with practical skills that could translate into employment, entrepreneurship and higher productivity, he added.

He said that Pakistan possessed a huge young population that could either become a powerful engine of economic growth or remain an underutilized resource if adequate educational and professional opportunities were not created.

The federal minister appreciated the Richmond Institute’s initiative of combining education with training and skills development, saying that the institutions following such an approach could play an important role in preparing young people for emerging professional requirements and enabling them to compete in an increasingly skills-driven global economy.

He said that higher education institutions should not limit themselves to award degrees but should also focus on producing graduates capable of meeting practical demands of industry, business and modern workplace.

Chief Executive Officer Richmond Institute of Higher Education Prof. Asif Iqbal said that education must go hand in hand with training and practical skills.

He said that the institute was offering diploma programs, short courses, vocational training and degree programs to provide students with diverse practical capabilities. Efforts were also being made to further improve quality of teaching and learning at the institute and there would be no compromise on academic standards, he added.

Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan called for effective action against fake degrees, fraudulent institutions and illegal affiliations, stressing that there was no room for deception or malpractice in the education sector.

He said that the youth were Pakistan’s future and providing them quality education, professional training and practical skills was a shared responsibility of the state and the society.

Founder and Chief Executive of NetSol Technologies Limited Saleem Ghauri said that the world had entered an era dominated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which had emerged as a major global industry.

He said that Pakistani youth needed to be equipped with modern technology-related skills so that they could take advantage of emerging opportunities in the global digital economy.

Alongside technical training, the concerted efforts were also required to address frustration and hopelessness among young people and provide them a sense of purpose and opportunity, he added.

Former President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Rehan Naseem Bhara, Dr Farah Diba, Dr Shehzad and other speakers also addressed the ceremony and highlighted different aspects of higher education, skills development, technology and youth empowerment.

Later, the chief guest presented souvenirs to prominent personalities in recognition of their participation.

The students of Richmond Institute, National Textile University Faisalabad (NTUF), University of Kamalia and Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) also participated in a joint fashion show walk.

The winners of the first, second and third positions received cash prizes of Rs25,000, Rs20,000 and Rs15,000 respectively.