ISlAMABAD – An Worldwide Summit on Increased Schooling and Workforce Growth within the 21st Century was held in Islamabad as a part of USAID’s Increased Schooling System Strengthening Exercise. The three-day worldwide summit included 5 periods that addressed vital issues of upper schooling establishments (HEIs) and explored approaches to align HEIs with the necessities of the 21st century. Key areas of discussions had been the availability of high quality schooling, decision of obstacles confronted by HEIs in changing into market-driven, attaining sustainability, constructing university-level ecosystems, and the chance for HEIs to develop into local weather change adaption gamers. Minister for Planning Growth and Particular Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Government Director Increased Schooling Fee of Pakistan (HEC) Dr. Shaista Sohail, and United States Ambassador Mr. Donald Blome had been among the many keynote audio system throughout the inaugural ceremony. Notable Pakistani and worldwide increased schooling consultants took half in varied periods and moderated the dialogues. In his opening handle throughout the inaugural session, Dr. Aslam Chaudhry, Chief of Celebration HESSA, welcomed the distinguished company and cited that HESSA is distinguishable from different related initiatives as a result of; firstly, this initiative makes use of an eco-system strategy involving companies, policymakers, and educational companions; secondly, HESSA works with a variety of HEIs when it comes to high quality, dimension, gender, and space all through Pakistan; and, thirdly, capacity-building strategies goal management, school, and pupil help providers. Moreover, the challenge stresses gender, variety, and incapacity inclusion in HEIs. U.S. Ambassador Blome additionally addressed the attendees, noting that 60 % of Pakistan’s inhabitants beneath 30 is the nation’s power, whereas highlighting the necessity of aiding “youth in reaching their full potential.” Dr. Shaista Sohail presided over the primary session, “Aligning Higher Education to 21st Century Needs”. The panelists for this session had been Dr. Andreas Schleicher, Director for Schooling and Abilities on the Group for Financial Co-operation and Growth (OECD), Dr. Asim Zia from the College of Vermont, Dr. Naveed Anwar from the Asian Institute of Know-how (Bangkok), Dr. Frankie laanan and Dr. Deborah Keyek-Franssen from the College of Utah. Specialists mentioned 5 key developments shaping the way forward for increased schooling worldwide: sustainability and interdisciplinarity; innovation and entrepreneurship; micro-credentials and abilities schooling; on-line and distance schooling; and guaranteeing constructing various campuses. The main focus of this session was on the necessity for sturdy linkages between international stakeholders, by abolishing “elite capture of resources” by colonial fashions of upper schooling. The way forward for the world owing to ecological collapse was a priority and it was really helpful that HEIs undertake a “Sustainability Science” technique to keep away from collapse. A further issue analyzed therein was the necessity to discover and supply extra versatile pathways for upskilling people prepared to advance their careers in step with the evolving workforce. Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Former Adviser to PM and former Director of IBA Karachi, chaired the second session, “Making HEIs Sustainable and Market Driven: Challenges and Opportunities.” He underscored the difficulties confronted by HEIs in finances managements as a result of declining public funding which could possibly be evaded with the assistance of a self-sustaining monetary mannequin just like the IBA. Audio system of this session had been Dr. Mary lackie from Central Arkansas, Dr. Steve Burian from Alabama, and Mr. Roger Griffiths from College of Birmingham, Dubai. Key takeaways from the second session had been that the schools must search for newer strategies to mobilize assets by constructing non-public sector partnerships, establishing endowment funds, strengthen alumni engagement, and so forth. Moreover, educational thought leaders must be taken aboard by universities as a result of they may help entice the non-public sector and supply reform steering. The third session held on summit’s second day was titled “Strengthening University Eco-system” and mixed three working teams and plenary talks. lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Asghar, Former Rector NUTECH, Dr. Shahid Munir, Chairperson, Punjab Increased Schooling Fee, and U.S. Senator Keith Grover chaired the three sub-sessions. Focus of the dialogue was on aligning Pakistan’s HEIs with international norms for institutional administration. Audio system within the discussions included Ms. Natalie Humphrey and Dr. Usman Ilyas from the College of Birmingham (Dubai Campus), Dr. Thomas Piechota from Chapman College, Dr. Fazal Khalid from GIK, Dr. Osman Hasan from NUST, and Dr. Gerardo Blanco from Boston Faculty, amongst others. The foremost suggestions from the three parallel periods had been the imperativeness of school growth and enhancement packages, recruitment of extremely certified school, greatest efficiency awards, and the inclusion of psychological well being consciousness packages. The fourth session carried out within the afternoon of day two was presided by Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, President of SZABIST College and targeted on “Improving Quality of Higher Education and the Role of Accreditation.” In reference to worldwide accreditation of Pakistani universities, Ms. Shahnaz said that solely two Pakistani establishments, Quaid-i-Azam College and NUST have but been licensed by overseas HEI score methods. As a substitute for HEC’s micromanagement, the chair instructed high quality enhancement by way of the formation of partnerships between HEC, Provincial Commissions, and HEIs. Audio system of the session had been Dr. Gerardo Blanco of Boston Faculty, Dr. Samreen Hussain of Aror College, Dr. Khalid Mahmood of NACTE, and Dr. Sajjad Ahmed of College of Nevada. Key takeaways of the session had been inclusion of school and employers in instructional reforms of all kinds and mushy abilities’ growth in graduates. Sherry Rehman, Minister of Local weather Change, chaired the ultimate session titled, “Higher Education and Climate Change Adaptation” – co-chair was Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture College. Minister Rehman voiced issues in regards to the lack of local weather change schooling in Pakistan’s increased schooling, emphasizing that campuses are a magnet for studying and creativity, so that they must undertake inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to local weather change and adaptation. Dr. Michael Barber from the College of Utah, and Dr. Ghulam Rasool, Head of Local weather Change Program of IUCN, Dr. Asim Zia, and Dr. Thomas C. Piechota spoke throughout this session. Key takeaways mirrored the need for growth of local weather change profiles for areas most weak, the need for figuring out and bridging gaps in information pertaining to local weather change adaptability, and the need for a broader stakeholder engagement in an effort to formulate built-in methods comparable with the magnitude of the problem. The closing ceremony on the finish of third day was graced by Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Schooling, Senator Keith Grover from Utah, Mr. Reed Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director, and Dr. Shaista Sohail of HEC. Dr. Aslam Chaudhry, HESSA Chief of Celebration offered the summit communiqué emphasizing the need for broader stakeholder participation. Minister Rana Tanveer thanked USAID for aiding Pakistan’s HEIs in adapting to 21st century calls for.
