Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Professor Dr Atta Rehman, while announcing Rs 4 billion for the University of Sindh for faculty development and infrastructure has said that only education is a strong base for development of the Nation and added faculty development is key achievement in the higher education.
He was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of newly constructed building of the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering University of Sindh Jamshoro on Saturday funded by HEC.
Addressing the University scholars Dr Rehman appreciated Sindh university achievements in higher education and said this University has played a leading role in introducing all reforms specified by the Higher Education Commission for the higher education. He also treasured contribution of Siddiqui in introducing HEC's reforms and research oriented activities in the University and said University of Sindh has grown its admissions more than 100 percent as well as faculty development.
He said HEC would continue its efforts for the development of Higher Education in the Country. HEC Chairman said today we are living in a knowledge based society and added that the country without resource would be lacking behind other nations.
He said there is huge change in the world and added we have been living in a open global village. He said there are 120 Universities in Tokyo and 1000 Universities in Japan and added that GDP of Japan on education is equal to GDP on education of entire Islamic World.
He said real problem in higher education is not infrastructure but real problem we have been facing shortage of qualified faculty with Ph.D and added that out of 16000 faculty we have only 3500 Ph.D teachers in Universities.
He said that HEC has been spending more than 60 percent funds for the faculty development and to send faculty members abroad for Ph.D.
Speaking with Journalists, Professor Attaurehman said that Pakistan has been facing financial crunch now a days and hoped that this financial crisis would be ended soon. Answering about financial cut on recurring budget of the Universities he said that on May, 12 in a presentation apprised to prime Minister about financial problem and he has directed concern for continuous support to education. Sindh University Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui speaking on the occasion said the University has been able to implement almost all reforms specified by HEC to improve academic quality. The HEC Chairman on the occasion visited other institutes and departments of the University. The event was attended by research scholars, academicians, Deans, Directors, faculty members and students.