The Senate Standing Committee on Education on Wednesday strongly recommended that technology based action plan for socio-economic development be adopted to usher in a new era of all round national development. Senator Razina Alam Khan presiding over the meeting stressed the need for promotion of higher education in the country.
Senator Razina Alam Khan observed that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was doing a splendid job for promotion of higher studies that hold the key to national development. HEC Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman while giving a presentation to participants of the meeting said the action plan carried the first national consensus document that outlined the medium and long-term measures aimed at boosting the agricultural and industrial production.
"It provides a clear cut vision to bring about rapid transition from agriculture to knowledge based economy and recommends that the government must promote private sector besides establishing a linkage between academia and industry," he said.
He underscored the need for replicating international best practices particularly those initiated by China, Korea, Japan and Singapore where massive investment was being made in the higher education sector. Dr Atta said HEC recommended that national technology and innovation policy must be implemented to address concerns on global competitiveness.
The committee lauding the efforts of HEC stressed upon the implementation of the draft vision strategy. Among others the meeting was attended by Senators Dr Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Rehana Yahya Baloch, Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Maulvi Agha Muhammad, Sajid Mir and Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.