PHEC Seminar on Independence and Higher Education
Staff Report
LAHORE: Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr. Shahid Munir has said that the secret of development and success lies in the best education. Quaid-e-Azam had said that education, trade and defense capability are the three basic pillars without which nations cannot survive. An educational revolution can be established in Pakistan by following the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam. He expressed these views on the topic of “Role of Higher Education in National Development” at Arfa Karim Tower on the occasion of Independence Day organized by PHEC. Addressing the organized seminar. Qayyum Nizami, Dr. Hasan Mir Shah, Rai Manzoor Nasir and Dr. Tanvir Qasim also addressed the seminar. Dr. Shahid Munir said that the country can be taken out of the current economic crisis by taking the youth towards the knowledge-based economy in the educational institutions. National development is not possible without modern universities and the main function of universities is to create new knowledge. For a knowledge-based economy, the government should invest in technology infrastructure. Pakistan has full potential to transform its economy from a traditional, agriculture and industry-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. The countries that invested in education are ruling the world economy, the leader said that education is a matter of life and death for us.
Well-known intellectual and columnist Qayyum Nizami said in his speech that after Quaid-e-Azam, we have become a victim of contradiction of words and actions. We have forgotten the spirit of freedom, the consequences of which the whole nation is suffering today, but we are not ready to learn lessons from history. The lesson and message of the Independence Day is that the youth should start the struggle for the reconstruction of Pakistan according to the basic teachings of Quaid-e-Azam and the spirit of freedom, and those who go against the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and those who are mentally and intellectually opposed to Quaid-e-Azam should be ruthlessly and without discrimination. Recover the spirit of freedom by destroying it. Until unless the spirit of freedom is restored, we will not be able to get out of our problems.
Vice-Chancellor of Khatam-ul-Nabbin University Rai Manzoor Nasir said that students should not only acquire degrees but also skills and demonstrate their ability and art. Education guarantees the progress of any nation or society. This is the reason for the progress and decline of nations. Getting an education is not just about getting a degree from a college or university, but it also involves learning about culture and values, so that people can take care of their social traditions and values. Education creates awareness. Former Vice Chancellor Government College University Dr Hasan Mir Shah said that it is a fact that education has never been the first priority of the political leadership, so instead of producing the best businessmen, top researchers and scientists, our educational institutions are beginning to produce job-seeking degree holders. Education is not just the name of getting a degree, but higher education is the art of learning new ways of thinking and learning the skills to solve human problems on the planet. Students pursuing higher education around the world are taught to engage in critical thinking as individuals, apart from giving them opportunities to think outside their comfort zone by providing the best academic environment. He said that universities should not be used for political purposes, nor should their independence be compromised. Unnecessary government interference affects the free academic and research environment. A large number of students from Lahore College for Women University, University of Home Economics, University of Lahore and Minhaj University participated in the seminar. Renowned singers Asad Qureshi and Tabiya Maqsood demonstrated their art through national songs. At the end, honorary shields were presented to the guests.