The United States will build new Faculty of Education buildings at six Pakistani universities and renovate a seventh education facility, as part of an agreement signed between the universities and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), here on Wednesday.
The construction will take place over the next two years and the new and renovated buildings will eventually house approximately 2,000 students and 100 faculty members each year.
"Pakistan and the US have enjoyed a long and productive relationship that spans more than 60 years and covers a variety of fields. Today's ceremony is yet another expression of the US government's long-term commitment to help build a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan," said Karen Freeman, USAID Deputy Director for Pakistan during the ceremony.
Dr Javaid Laghari, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission appreciated the efforts of the US government for improving the quality of education across the country.
As part of the agreement, the US will construct new Faculty of Education buildings at the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University in Quetta; the Hazara University in Mansehra; the University of Education in Lahore; the University of Sindh in Hyderabad; the University of Karachi in Karachi; and the Sardar Abdul Latif University in Khairpur (Sindh). The US will also help renovate the Institute of Education and Research at the University of the Punjab.
These new facilities will support the implementation of two new degree programmes, a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Education (B.Ed.) and a two-year Associate Degree in Education (ADE) designed with US support to increase the quality of teachern at colleges and universities. Additionally, the new buildings will be used for the continuing education of practising teachers.-PR