Last four years will be remembered as a golden period as far as development in the higher education sector of Pakistan is concerned, as over 2,500 scholars are currently pursuing their studies in leading universities of the world.
This was stated by Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC), while addressing the farewell ceremony organised for 50 HEC scholars are leaving for MS Studies in South Korea. On the occasion, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between the HEC and the Hanyang University, South Korea.
The scholars, proceeding under the programme entitled 'MS level training in Korea Universities/Industry', will pursue their studies at the Hanyang University and the Seoul National University. Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said the HEC discovers the brightest of minds among faculty members, researchers, and fresh graduates and sends them to the top institutions of the world. He said that some 260 of these scholars will return this year after completion of their studies while another 400-500 will return next year.
He said the Commission is laying special emphasis on the engineering education and a large portion of the scholarships has been reserved for the engineering graduates.
Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said that South Korea was selected as a partner country because the country has excelled in academia and industry. "We want to get benefit from the expertise of our Korean friends. The Korean universities and industry are strongly inter-linked and we want our scholars to learn in that environment", he added.
He also announced the establishment of Universities of Engineering, Science and Technology of Pakistan (UESTPs) in collaboration with the developed countries, including Germany, France, Italy, China, Austria, South Korea.
"I am delighted to inform you that MS classes in the Pak-German UESTP should start in September this year. Similarly, the Pak-China University and the Pak-Austria University are also expected to start classes later this summer", he said.
Korean Ambassador Shin Un said: "In today's world, the human resources are much more important than the natural resources and in this context, the steps taken by the HEC are very timely and appropriate. I hope that South Korea will prove to be a good partner in this effort."
He said the academic institutions of South Korea have played an important role in the development of that country and the Hanyang University is among those leading institutions that are imparting quality and state-of-the-art education to a large body of foreign students.
HEC Executive Director Professor Dr Sohail Naqvi said the Commission has selected South Korea as its partner in the engineering education because the latter has proved its expertise in this field during the last few decades. Hanyang University Vice-President Dr Jung Youn Won thanked the HEC for selecting the Hanyang University.