Rs 5 billion sanctioned for promotion of higher education: Dr Atta

In-charge Minister for Science and Technology, Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman said that Rs five billion has been sanctioned for the promotion of higher education in the country and this will be extended up to Rs nine billion during the next decade.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of "24th Pakistan Zoological Congress (International)" here on Wednesday.
He said that a sum of Rs 70 billion would be spent for spreading the higher education.
He said that in the past the successive governments literally ignored the education sector, which failed to impart quality education in line with the international standards and requirements since country's independence.
He said that with the excellent and positive reformation, revolutionary changes in the field of education are expected in the next few years.
He further said that Unites States, United Kingdom, Germany and with the assistance and supports of other developed countries, the faculty members of Pakistani universities and institutes are being sent abroad for getting latest training and further education in various fields.
As many as 300 Pakistani expatriates living in the United States with Ph.D. level qualification are being requested to return home for imparting training and providing latest expertise to the countrymen and under the new tenure track system.
The processors of universities and colleges will be paid monthly remuneration four times higher than the salary drawn by the federal ministers, he said.
He announced a grant of Rs 30 million for the Pakistan Zoological Society on the occasion.
Dr Atta said a sum of Rs seven billion have been earmarked for the supply of textbooks and other reading material at cheaper rates and more concentration is being accorded to the research oriented education.
The government has approved grant of Rs one billion each for the research development and promotion of education of social sciences at Pakistani universities, he added.
He floated an idea of opening an educational television channel at Allama Iqbal Open University, saying all the necessary funds for the purpose will be provided by the sitting government.
Dr Atta-ur-Rahman gave the best Zoologist Award to Syed Azhar Hassan. The students and teachers with excellent performance in their respective fields were also awarded with trophies, certificates and special prizes.