Muhammad Saleem

Joint degree programmes, shared research facilities, and knowledge exchange among educational institutions can help Pakistan boost innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development. Shehryar Ahmed from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), talking to WealthPK, said that institutions equipped with modern research facilities can carry the torch for a sustainable economy and open doors for job creation.

He said that vice-chancellors of UAF and Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, highlighted the importance of joint degree programmes, shared resources, and knowledge exchange during a recent meeting. He said UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Zulfiqar Ali was striving to empower youth with modern knowledge and skills. “We cannot alleviate poverty and make our society a better place to live without the training of youth,” he quoted Ali as stressing.

Ahmed said no country can progress without knowledgeable young people and a skilled teaching faculty in a rapidly changing world. “In addition to initiating joint degree programmes and resource sharing with other institutions, UAF is also making efforts to boost student enrolment. Collective efforts are crucial to explore more opportunities for students so they can efficiently exploit their potential to strengthen the economy,” he said. Ahmed said UAF administration is committed to fostering teamwork and collaboration to achieve academic excellence.

Ali Raza, a former teacher at Government College University Faisalabad, told WealthPK that Pakistan needs job creators, not paper-pushers. “Countries are equipping their youth with practical and innovative knowledge – and Pakistan should follow suit.” “The journey to a knowledge-based economy starts at the grassroots level and that foundation lies in our educational institutions,” he noted. Raza said launching joint degree programmes, sharing laboratory facilities, and developing a mechanism for knowledge-sharing are necessary tools to meet emerging challenges.

“We need to connect minds by ensuring collaboration with institutions both nationally and internationally for job creation, stronger industries and global recognition,” he underscored. “Joint degree programmes offer a golden opportunity for students to easily gain global exposure and broaden their academic horizons,” he said. By combining expertise of local and international universities, students can efficiently polish their skills both theoretically and practically, he added.

Raza noted that with the help of joint degree programmes, educational institutions can enable students to fulfill the job market demands.  “Through these programmes – along with research facilities and knowledge exchange – we can produce graduates who not only land jobs in both local and international markets with ease, but also launch their own businesses,” Raza asserted.

Credit: INP-WealthPk