'Pakistan to have 50 linkages with UK universities'

Higher Education Commission and the British Council signed a memorandum of understand (MoU) to launch the second phase of the Joint Education Links Programme 'Higher Education Links with British Universities' which will see the establishment of 35 linkages between Pakistani universities and departments of universities in the United Kingdom.
Fifteen linkages have already been established last year, which brings the total number to 50. The MoU was signed by Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Higher Education Commission and Ms Sue Beaumont, Country Director British Council at the HEC Secretariat this morning. 'We look forward to reaping the impact of such collaboration in the years to come,' said Chairman HEC. "We plan to expand the programme to 100 linkages per year in the next calendar year,' he added.
The programme will be managed by HEC and BC and will entail establishment of higher education links between degree awarding UK educational institutions and HEC recognised universities and degree awarding institutions in public and private sector of Pakistan. The programme will run for three years initially.
'We look forward to the exchange of intellectual capital,' said Ms Sue Beaumont after the signing ceremony.
The Higher Education Commission will provide about 10,000 pounds per year for each linkage for three years and fund collaborative programmes between departments in both countries to encourage research and training capacity of the participant departments to impact human resource development and provide university faculty exposure of research practices in leading British research centres.
The programme supports collaborative research proposals which focus on the development of faculty and students by administering quality courses, fostering an environment of critical enquiry, problem solving, effective communication and industry oriented research.
The links will also help improve teaching methodology, improve management system within departments of the educational institution develop and improve curriculum development and strengthen the research and training capacity of higher educational institutions.