The Higher Education Commission (HEC) informed a parliamentary panel here on Thursday that the country requires up to 10 science & technology parks to meet the modern world requirements. The Sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training was informed that for 7.1 million students of higher education in the country, neither education institutions are sufficient in number nor teachers are available.
The committee met with Nauman Wazir in the chair to deliberate on exigency to ameliorate educational system of Pakistan in accordance with the requirements of changing times, strengthening link between academia and industry, roles of the federal government and provincial governments.
Nauman Wazir said that the education system of the country needs to be brought at par with the modern world requirements for bringing development and prosperity in the country. To bring revolution in the industrial sector, it is required to make curriculum according to the requirements of the industry.
Until and unless industries-related subjects are added in the curriculum and students undergo practical experiences, development and progress in the industrial sector is not possible, he added. The sub-committee sought recommendations from the federal education ministry, HEC, secretaries of four provincial education ministries, NUST, Air University, and University of Engineering Lahore, Taxila and Peshawar representatives for bringing improvement in the curriculum according to the modern world requirements. The convenor of the committee said that it is vital to frame such curriculum for higher educational institutions, which is related to industry and country's requirements.
The secretary federal education informed the committee that service provision in the education sector has become provinces' responsibility. Private institutions are also playing a vital role in this regard. It would be better to conduct a detailed study in the higher educational institutions where recommendations should be framed according to industries' requirements and for improvement in curriculum.
On this, the convenor recommended the HEC and federal education ministry to take steps in collaboration with all stakeholders where uniform standard for educations should be set. If any amendment or bill is required, the Parliament is ready to support it, he added.
The executive director HEC informed the committee that Germany and France in this regard had played a crucial role as both countries gave stress on practical experience by the students. On this the convenor recommended for taking thorough review of both countries' strategy and framing recommendations for Pakistan.
The ED said that it is compulsory for the students of Textile University to carry out 80 per cent practical work, adding that HEC is making efforts to include members from the industry in curriculum committee. The consultant HEC said that since the country came into being, 11 education policies have been framed and every policy stressed on improving standards. Currently, there are 180 universities and 30 research universities would be established in the country during the next 10 years. By allocating 4 per cent of GDP for the education sector, many problems could be resolved, he added.
The committee was informed that NUST and HEC are establishing science & technology park and NUST has conducted feasibility study in this regard. However, there is need of 8-10 science and technology parks in the country to meet requirements.