ISLAMABAD: A delegation of educationists from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and held a meeting with Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC and senior HEC management.
Talking to the delegates, Dr. Ahmed shared the initiative and achievements of HEC with regard to promotion of higher education in Pakistan. He said Pakistan had only 59 universities before the inception of HEC in 2002, while only 800 research publications had surfaced. He maintained that the number of universities has now reached 188, while the number of research publications currently is 12000 annually. He said HEC envisions 40 per cent of PhD faculty in the country’s universities by 2025.
The Chairman stressed the need for identifying potential areas in which HEC and AIT can collaborate. He said HEC gives great importance to joint research projects with foreign countries.
During the meeting, it was agreed that Pakistani faculty members will be given opportunities to go for a sabbatical. The two sides will sign a Document of Understanding on award of scholarships to students. Besides, modalities for collaborative research especially in the fields of water resources, Engineering, solar energy, food security, structures and urban planning and environment will be finalised with mutual consultations. The two sides will jointly conduct research and hold seminars apart from considering participation in non-academic activities.
In order to materialise the meeting decisions, a trilateral working group will consisting of two members from Pakistani academia and AIT each will be constituted. The AIT will be represented by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Solutions and Mr. Shawn P. Kelly, Director, Office of the External Relations, AIT, Thailand, while Mr. Mohammad Raza Chohan, Director General, Academics will serve as HEC’s focal person.
The AIT delegation was headed by Prof. Worsak Kanok Nukulchai, President AIT while it comprised Prof. Voratas Kachitvitchyanukul, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Rajendra Shrestha, Dean, School of Environment Resources and Development, Dr. Fiaz Shah, Head, Development Management and Director, Yunus Centre, Mr. Shawn P. Kelly, Director, Office of the External Relations, and Dr. Navid Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Nukulchai said, “AIT is a neutral platform for regional engagements and it values international collaboration”. He stressed the need for revitalise partnership with Pakistan. He said research and development endeavours are a boon for the mankind, as they lead to sustainable development. He said AIT offers 30 academic programmes and has 2000 postgraduate students, adding that it has developed 200 academic partnerships.