- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP):Former President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Ex Ambassador to the United States and China Sardar Masood Khan highlighted a vision to strengthen Pakistan’s higher education system and align it with global academic trends.
Speaking at the Vice Chancellors’ Conference 2025 on Transnational Education here Sunday, he presented a forward-looking vision for strengthening Pakistan’s higher education sector, expanding opportunities through transnational education (TNE), and positioning Pakistan as a knowledge-driven global power, said a news release here on Sunday.
Dividing his address into four key themes—higher education in Pakistan, the scope of transnational education (TNE), its impact on domestic academia, and Pakistan’s national destiny—he underscored the urgency of investing in education at all levels.
“We are a nation of 250 million people, but nearly 25 million children remain out of school. This is a ticking time bomb. Without investing in human skills, we will not achieve stability or realize the dream of becoming one of the world’s leading economies by 2047,” he warned.
Masood praised the remarkable growth of Pakistan’s higher education sector, noting that the country now hosts more than 275 universities—a significant expansion compared to previous decades.
He acknowledged the contributions of the HEC, academics, and policymakers, but emphasized that quality assurance, global competitiveness, and stronger institutional linkages remain critical.
“We have made strides, but the next leap requires aligning our universities with international standards and markets,” he stressed.
Turning to the transformative potential of transnational education, he described it as a defining global trend.
“Education has become transnational because the world itself has shrunk. Digitization has created global citizens, and students today seek international qualifications without necessarily leaving their home countries,” he remarked.
Between 11,000 and 13,000 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in TNE programs, primarily with leading UK institutions such as the University of London, the London School of Economics, the University of Hertfordshire, and the University for the Creative Arts.
Ambassador Khan highlighted the affordability of TNE as a major advantage.
“A degree in London could cost Rs 40 million, while the same program through transnational arrangements in Pakistan costs around Rs 4 million. That is the difference between exclusion and opportunity for thousands of families. Prestige, employability, and global market access are driving this demand,” he explained.
“A degree in London could cost Rs 40 million, while the same program through transnational arrangements in Pakistan costs around Rs 4 million. That is the difference between exclusion and opportunity for thousands of families. Prestige, employability, and global market access are driving this demand,” he explained.
He noted that nearly 80 million Pakistanis now belong to the middle class, creating new demand for international qualifications through hybrid learning models. Many TNE graduates, he added, are already playing leadership roles in Pakistan’s corporate sector, technology startups, and emerging industries.
At the same time, Ambassador Khan urged policymakers not to lose sight of Pakistan’s educational foundations.
“We cannot sit in comfortable halls and celebrate success while millions of our children remain excluded. Our reforms must be comprehensive—primary, secondary, and tertiary education must advance together,” he emphasized.
Concluding his address, Ambassador Khan highlighted Pakistan’s immense potential as a youthful, technologically adaptive nation.
“Pakistan is already the world’s third-largest freelancer workforce. Our youth are earning through artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, and the Internet of Things. Technology gives us the chance to leapfrog—not crawl gradually, but grow exponentially. With visionary leadership in education, we can transform Pakistan into a smart, strong, and globally competitive nation,” he declared.
The event concluded with a panel discussion where academics and industry leaders shared insights on strengthening transnational education and integrating it into Pakistan’s broader economic and social transformation.
The conference was hosted by Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and attended by international and national scholars, including Prof. Dr. Andreas Bürkert of the University of Kassel, Germany; Ambassador Dr. Asif Chaudhry, Senior Advisor to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Washington State University; Prof. Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice Chancellor at Staffordshire University; Dr. John K. Schueller of the University of Florida; and Dr. Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice President at the University of British Columbia.
Later in the proceedings, prominent leaders and educationists also addressed the conference, among them Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Maqbool, Former Governor of Punjab; Syed Babar Ali, Founding Pro-Chancellor of LUMS Lahore (who joined virtually); and Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, Founder and Chairperson of Knowledge Streams.