Pakistan (Commonwealth Union)_ Donald Blome, United States Ambassador to Pakistan, together with University of Utah officials and Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, launched the International Summit on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The summit, held by the US-backed Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), highlights the role of higher education in the 21st century and the fluid nature of learning and employment, and examines how institutions might reposition themselves in this constantly shifting environment.
As the envoy commemorated the 75 years of relationship between the United States and Pakistan, Ambassador Blome said: “In a country where more than 60 percent of the population is below 30, we must continue to help youth achieve their full potential.” According to Senator Keith Grover, Utah State Senator from the United States, “It is the ultimate goal of an institute to provide necessary skills for youth so they can positively contribute to the workforce both locally and globally.”
Minister Iqbal noted that the Pakistani government is receptive to enhancing the country’s higher education system and is exploring new ways to capitalize on the country’s vast youth potential. He lauded Pakistan’s 75-year relationship with the US government and expressed gratitude to its specialized investment in higher education as support for academics. He stated that academic institutions, the public sector, and the corporate sector should collaborate to expedite this progress. Mr. Iqbal also encouraged Pakistani officials in charge of higher education to develop the sector.
According to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), the HEC would continue to collaborate with the US government to develop a team of specialists in order to increase graduate employability. HESSA is backed by the United States via USAID and is executed in conjunction with sixteen Pakistani public universities and other stakeholders, with an emphasis on enhancing the universities’ capability to provide market-driven education, research, and graduate employability.
