ISLAMABAD, OCT 14 (DNA) – Mr. Furkat Sidikou, Ambassador Uzbekistan to Pakistan visited Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat and called on Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed briefed the Ambassador about the initiatives that HEC has taken since its inception in 2002 for promotion of higher education in the country.

 He said there were only 59 universities in Pakistan 15 years back and now the country has 188 higher education institutions both in the public and private sectors in addition to a large number of recognised affiliated colleges.

The Chairman said HEC has taken significant measures to promote research culture in Pakistan through various steps including establishment of Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation and Business Incubation Centres.

 He told the Ambassador that the Commission has awarded 2,51000 scholarships including Overseas, Indigenous, Merit and Need-based Scholarships apart from the scholarships availed by Pakistani students under various foreign collaboration programmes.

The Chairman emphasized that Pakistan and Uzbekistan need to identify the areas in which they can bilaterally collaborate.

“Adopting education diplomacy is need of the hour,” he stated underlining that the solution to all ills lies in the promotion of education.

He also stressed on the rich Islamic heritage of Uzbekistan and the need for tapping its endless treasure of Islamic history.

The Ambassador appreciated the effort of HEC for bringing different nations closer through joint academic endeavours.

Stressing the importance of collaborative steps between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, he said the time has come when the two countries need to follow educational goals.=DNA

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