The International Summit on Higher Education and Workforce Development was launched today by United States Ambassador Donald Blome, who was joined by representatives from the University of Utah and the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Mr Ahsan Iqbal.
The summit, which was hosted by the US-funded Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), highlights the fluid nature of learning and employment and looks at how universities might reposition themselves in this constantly shifting environment. In a country where more than 60% of the population is under 30, Ambassador Donald Blome remarked, “In a country where more than 60% of the population is under 30, we must continue to help youth achieve their full potential.”
Minister Iqbal stated that the Government of Pakistan is open to improving the higher education system and is looking into various options to capitalize on the abundant youth potential in the country. He appreciated Pakistan’s 75-year partnership with the U.S. government and celebrated the support provided by the U.S. government to academia through specialized investment in higher education. He further added that academic institutions and the public and private sectors should join hands to accelerate this development. Mr Iqbal tasked Pakistani higher education officials to improve higher education.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), said that HEC will continue working with the U.S. government to build a cadre of experts to improve graduate employability.
According to Senator Keith Grover of Utah, “it is the ultimate purpose of an institute to give youngsters the required skills so they may constructively contribute to the workforce both locally and globally.”
HESSA is funded by USAID and implemented in collaboration with 16 Pakistani public universities and other stakeholders, with the goal of improving universities’ capacity to deliver market-driven education, research, and graduate employability.
