NINETEEN Pakistani vice chancellors and representatives of the British Council in Pakistan and Higher Education Commission of Pakistan are in Vancouver for a 10-day study tour. The tour is hosted in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the British Council in Pakistan and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The study tour aims to enhance the vice chancellors’ leadership, strategic planning and other capacities by learning from experiences of their counterparts from the leading universities in British Columbia.
“We warmly welcome the leaders of Pakistan Higher Education to COL and hope that this visit will lead to stronger ties between us and will strengthen cooperation between Canadian academics and universities in Pakistan,” said Professor Asha Kanwar, President and CEO of COL.
The study tour includes presentations and workshops from COL and some of British Columbia’s top experts and institutions. Vice Chancellors will also meet with representatives of the provincial government.
Nishat Riaz, Director of Education for the British Council in Pakistan, said, “We are delighted to hold our first leadership course in Canada. This is an excellent example of international collaboration as its organisers are joining hands to enhance the quality of education through better governance and leadership. I hope this is the beginning of a long-term partnership which will help further improve cultural and education relations among people and institutions.”
Access to higher education in Pakistan is seven per cent and only one million students per year get enrolled in universities.
“We are confident that with continued collaboration the understanding of international higher education systems will improve and in turn facilitate better management and improved performance of Universities in Pakistan,” said Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Delegates will focus on the following six themes: developing strategic thinking and planning; strategic planning framework; good governance; financial management; academic innovation and research excellence.