HEC: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal emphasized upon forming of a working group consisting of top scientists to advise government to foster development of science and technology in the country.


The minister expressed these views while addressing Round Table Conference (RTC) on Promoting Scientific Education and Research in Pakistan.


The RTC was also attended by Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, scientists, academia and officials.


The conference aims to promote science and technology research which includes improving education and research system to increase countrys competence. Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that knowledge and technology were pivotal to advancement of our human civilization.


The participants of the conference highlighted various options to promote science education and research in the country.


They emphasized to revise the science curriculum, science teachers training, developing computer and science labs in primary and high schools, conducting science fairs and competitions for students.


Ahsan Iqbal appraised the conference about other government efforts which include national curriculum reforms, teacher transformational training initiatives for bringing radical changes in the education sector.


The minister affirmed that Pakistan needed a strong knowledge foundation to become an Asian tiger. He said Pakistan needed to keep pace with the modern world by re-aligning its educational structure and bringing in dynamism in knowledge and introducing multi-disciplinary subjects. The focus from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects had now been shifted to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects, he added. He said arts were important to teach children innovation and creativity.


He further added that there was a need for developing questioning minds which could only be done if education system promotes a culture of inquiry among children.


“We are still in a battle of English and Urdu medium education system which is leading us to produce cram factories instead of critical thinkers. People in the world progress and then learn English but in Pakistan, we prefer to learn English over progress” said the minister.


The higher education institutions must have responsibility to improve fundamental purposeful instruction, quality research, innovation, strengthen linkages with industry, turn into agents of change, embed technology, and produce entrepreneurial leaders, he added.


He observed that every activity revolves around knowledge in the current knowledge revolution era which necessitated a paradigm shift in the learning models of Pakistan.


It was unavoidable for every task to revolve around knowledge in order to ensure human progress. “If the speed of change outside is more than the speed of change inside then the end is near,” he maintained.


He informed that the number of PhDs had remarkable increased to 7500 now, however HEC aimed to build 40 per cent PhD faculty in universities by 2025. He maintained that policy steps being taken to increase graduates in science and mathematics by doubling HEC budget in last three years.


The minister also urged scientists to inspire young students to be creative by popularizing science and technology.


Renowned scientist and scholar Dr Pervaiz Hoodbhoy appreciated the efforts of Minister Ahsan Iqbal in promoting science in Pakistan.

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