ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday emphasized the need for operationalising Pak-US Knowledge Corridor, agreed between two countries during PM's US visit, to further the bilateral ties between the two countries in education and science and technology.
Talking to Acting Ambassador of United States of America (USA) Jonathan Pratt who called on him, the Minister highlighted various initiatives present government has taken in the areas of economy, education, science and technology, energy. He expressed great satisfaction with the outcomes of PM's US visit, said a press release issued here.
Appreciating the high standard of education in USA universities, Ahsan Iqbal said that this knowledge corridor would establish partnership between Pakistan and USA universities to prepare ten thousands Phds in next ten years for the country.
Present government initiative to set up sub-campus of universities at district levels and to fulfil the needs of faculty at these campuses, Pakistan needs 10000 Phds by 2025.
Ahsan Iqbal admired the strength and 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.
He said that knowledge corridor would help to enhance the ratio of Pakistani students in USA universities, which is presently low compared to India and Bangladesh.
The large number of students through this corridor in USA universities would be "agents of change" when they return to Pakistan.
The Minister informed the USA ambassador that this initiative had brought a transformational change in education at district level by providing the students access to higher education at their doorsteps. Jonathan Pratt assured full support in realisation of Vision 2025 goals.
About CPEC, the Minister said that it is not a bilateral project between Pakistan and China. It is project to promote the regional connectivity. It will benefit three billion population of Central Asia, South Asia and China.
The USA envoy said that CPEC is a fantastic idea for regional connectivity and said that USA fully endorses it.
About energy sector, Ahsan Iqbal said that government is giving top priority to this sector and said that USA cooperation as declared in Joint Statement to support Diamer Bhasha Dam is very much welcomed.
Pakistan's next challenge is water crisis and building a dam is top priority for the government. Government plans ground breaking of this vital project next year as land acquisition has been completed with cost of over $ 1 billion cost.
He said that government is using super critical technology for establishing the coal power plants to produce the energy as well as to minimize the environment hazards from coal.
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