Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz declared on Friday that the government is pursuing the goal of a growth rate of seven to eight percent for the next several years. He was speaking as chief guest after performing the inauguration of the new laboratory complex of International Centre of Chemical Sciences (ICCS) at the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry at Karachi University campus.
He said because of higher growth rate the per capita income in Pakistan would touch the mark of 700 dollars this year and rise even more in the years ahead. "Step by step we will get that. I believe that we all are going to be a part of building a rising Pakistan, a successful Pakistan, a modern Pakistan, a moderate Pakistan and an exciting Pakistan," he remarked.
The Premier told the gathering that he is very much excited about the future of the country and pointed out that this year Pakistan is being called a high growth country. The seven-percent growth for any country is very impressive and Insha'Allah we will make it this year.
He said the last five years have shown that if we are single-minded about doing better and improving and work with dedication, things can improve.
Shaukat Aziz said what we see today is that process beginning but we have a long journey ahead of us. Today the image and impression of Pakistan is getting better. Yet we have to do a lot to create jobs, improve basic education, health, and build infrastructure.
Shaukat said if we invest enough in education and building institutions there is no reason to fall behind. We can compete with anyone and meet the challenges that are ahead of us, he added.
Referring to increase in budget allocation for higher education and education in general as well as for science and technology, he informed that this is the manifestation of belief that the government is dedicated to promotion of education because illiterate nations cannot progress.
The Premier assured that the government would keep providing more resources for this very sector so that the country could move ahead at a much faster pace.
About the notion of north-south divide, he said he believes that the best way to plug in the knowledge and resource gap by our own hard work and we cannot blame and accuse others of depriving the Third World of resources.
The Premier also touched upon the area of values and the need for public-private partnership. "We in the government feel that if the private sector steps forward, we will always be willing to consider the matching grant to double the amount".
The Prime Minister said the business community could be a major contributor, but many others not having resources can also contribute with time and intellect.
Lauding the role and contributions of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, the Prime Minister said this institute is clearly a manifestation of how we can, and we have delivered a centre of excellence to the people of Pakistan despite all the challenges we face.
The Premier also recalled the role of the initiator of HEJ, late Professor Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, for his immense contributions and said he was one of the icons we will always remember. He also praised the role of late Latif Ebrahim Jamal for the development of HEJ and his desire to build a stronger, better and more vibrant Pakistan.
Shaukat Aziz expressed delight over the recognition of the International Centre for Chemical Sciences by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and said that recognition is important for those who work with dedication.
He was of the view that Pakistan is privileged and fortunate to have people like Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, a prominent scientist who is also the Director of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry and also heads the Higher Education Commission.
The Premier informed the audience that like Professor Atta there are many people in the country who are working day and night for building a better Pakistan. They are the strength of the country.
Talking about the knowledge economy, he said that today we live in a world which is globalising fast and if we want to make headway we will have to embrace knowledge-based economy by investing in education, science and technology and the human capital.
The Premier said that step by step we are heading in the right direction. The centres like ICCS and HEJ and leaders like Professor Atta are needed by the country. He said he was pleased to learn that HEJ was producing the largest number of PhDs than any other institution in the country.
Shaukat Aziz pointed out that one of the key attributes of any centre of excellence is its linkage to the world.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Director of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said that World Bank previously was just investing in the lower level of education but now there is a drastic change in such thinking. He said now the World Bank is emphasising the significance of higher education in overcoming the serious problems including that of poverty.
Professor Atta said the UNDP Human Development Report also states that the university education is at the heart of creating national capacity to innovate, adapt technology and to meet the countries needs regarding the technological changes.
He was of the view that the key commodity now is what knowledge a nation possesses and how such the knowledge is used for the socio-economic development.
The HEC chief regretted that there is not even a single university of international standard in Pakistan. However, with the help of the present government the HEC is determined to make headway in this direction as well.
Professor Atta said with the assistance of the present government there has been a substantial increase in allocation for higher education and science and technology in the country. He stated that the HEC was also focusing on the aspect of development of quality faculty.
In his welcome address Vice-chancellor of Karachi University Professor Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, said that this university is the largest and the most prominent in the country. He pointed out that the current enrolment at Karachi University is about 20,000, and added that the university has produced some 429 PhDs since 1995.
He also said that university is pursuing the approach of public-private partnership and a number of institutes have been and are being set up at the campus under this very approach.
The vice-chancellor hoped that under the patronage of President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz the universities in the country would flourish.
The Co-Director of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Professor Muhammad Iqbal Choudhry, and Aziz Ebrahim Jamal of HEJ Foundation also expressed their views on the occasion.
Earlier, Prime Minister performed the inauguration of the new laboratory complex, which was established at a cost of Rs 30 million. This was described as the biggest academic research laboratory in the country.
Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, who is also the chancellor of the public sector universities in the province, also attended the ceremony.
Prominent educationists, faculty members and students were also present on the occasion.