ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (Alliance News): Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting on the “Framework for Processing Concept Proposals for New Projects under the Pakistan-UK Education Gateway Phase 2” on Friday.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Dr. Najeeb Ullah (Member Science & Technology), and senior representatives from the British Council, including James Hampson, Country Director for Pakistan, and Sarah Parvez, Head of Education at the British Council.
Officials from various departments presented an overview of the achievements from Phase 1 of the Pakistan-UK Education Gateway, noting the successful facilitation of 21 Research Travel Grants and eight large-scale Research Partnership Grant projects.
Additionally, over 1,000 researchers and reviewers across Pakistan were trained, and 51 universities received certification for their Offices of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC).
Phase 2 of the project will build on these successes and focus on advancing higher education, driving research development, and fostering a globally competitive workforce. This phase will include structured fellowships, transnational education, and the promotion of leadership in higher education.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of creating a robust mechanism to assess the impact of grants and ensure the alignment of research projects with Pakistan’s development priorities.
He emphasized the need for top-tier researchers and partnerships with leading universities to boost the quality of research in Pakistan.
The Minister also pointed out that visits by Pakistani researchers to the UK should have a clear purpose and tangible benefits upon their return, strengthening academic institutions and contributing to reforms.
The Pakistan-UK Education Gateway Phase 2 aims to enhance the higher education sector and align with Pakistan’s socio-economic development goals.
