ISLAMABAD, JAN 02 (DNA) – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) wants to further strengthen academic relations with Turkish higher education institutions, as the two countries enjoy strong historical fraternal bonds at all levels.

This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC while talking to Mr. Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan, who called on him at the Commission Secretariat on Wednesday.

Banuri stressed the need for expanding the scope of collaborative endeavours between Pakistan and Turkey.

He said Islamabad National University (INU) has been launched at the former Prime Minister House which will conduct research in areas relevant to national needs.

Prime Minister Imran Khan wants this university to be a paramount institution which may attract scholars and students from across the world. He added that work is underway on involving partner countries and volunteers in conceptualising and implementing the idea.

Expressing his interest in INU, the Ambassador assured Dr. Banuri of his all-out support in the initiatives meant to make INU a world-class university.

He informed the Chairman that he recently visited a number of Pakistani universities to explore avenues for academic collaboration in high quality research.

He said Turkey wants to deepen educational relations with Pakistan, as it believes education is the key to progress and prosperity.

He mentioned Turkey’s support in setting up a Centre of Excellence for vocational training. Collaborative research sponsored through HEC and Turkish higher education authority will be mutually beneficial and will help prepare quality human resources in both countries.

The Chairman informed the Ambassador about HEC’s plan to set up National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) to provide trainings to potential university leadership, faculty, and university staffs.

 He said the Prime Minister is committed to educational reforms, especially bringing madressahs into the national mainstream. Turkish experiment in the area is useful for Pakistan.

To this, the Ambassador said Turkish universities managerial system is being channalised and Turkey will extend all possible support in materialising the HEC’s plan of establishing NAHE.=DNA

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