LAHORE: A panel discussion`s speakers emphasised the importance of ensuring educational institutions` financial and administrative autonomy.
Governor Balighur Rehman was the chief guest at the All Pakistan Students Societies Conference on Tuesday at Government College University (GCU).
For the conference, a panel discussion on the difficulties facing the higher education sector was organised.
Mr Rehman stated that policy stability is critical for the growth of institutions. He stated that all political parties should agree on the charter of economic rights so that policies do not change when governments change.He said the international ranking of Pakistani universities is improving, which is a welcome thing.
He said that the education and empowerment of women are very importantfor the development of the country.
He stated that there was a need to strengthen ties between academia and industry, as well as align research with local industry.
He said students should make research a part of their lives, adding that applied research should be promoted in universities.
GCU Vice Chancellor VC Prof Asghar Zaidi said structural lags impede progress in higher education; even large universities don`t have autonomy over their financial and administrative af fairs.
`We don`t have the authority to hire professors from top universities; we have to follow specific service statutes and pay scales,` Prof. Zaidi said, clarifying that standard salary packages are not lucrative enough to attract the best minds.
He stressed the need for the training of faculty and yearly curriculumreforms.
