Islamabad, Nov 8: Planning Minister Chairs Meeting to Advance Pakistan-UK Education Gateway Phase-2. Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting to advance the “Pakistan-UK Education Gateway Phase 2,” a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s higher education sector through strategic partnerships with the UK.
Key stakeholders, including the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and British Council representatives, reviewed Phase 1 achievements, which included 21 Research Travel Grants, eight large-scale Research Partnership Grants, and certification of research offices at 51 universities across Pakistan. Over 1,000 researchers were also trained under this phase.
Phase 2 of the Pakistan-UK Education Gateway builds on these accomplishments, focusing on structured fellowships, research commercialization, leadership development, and capacity building to improve the sector’s productivity. This phase will also encourage international faculty exchanges, transnational education, and the mutual recognition of qualifications.
Aiming to align educational improvements with Pakistan’s socio-economic objectives, Phase 2 seeks to foster an internationally competitive higher education environment, with a particular emphasis on research that addresses Pakistan’s diverse developmental needs.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of impact-driven research, noting the need for high-quality research professionals who can elevate standards in various sectors. He emphasized that research visits by Pakistani academics to the UK must contribute meaningfully to institutional capacity-building.
The Pakistan-UK Education Gateway Phase 2 exemplifies Pakistan’s commitment to creating a robust educational infrastructure that supports sustainable growth and enhances its global academic standing. Through targeted partnerships with UK universities, Pakistan seeks to further develop a skilled, competitive workforce in line with its Vision 2025 goals.
