ECOSF participated in the International Conference on Quality Assurance Standards and Policies: Issues and Challenges organized by HEC and USEFP
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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in collaboration with the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) organized an International Conference on Quality Assurance Standards and Policies: Issues and Challenges on December 4-5, 2019 in Islamabad. President of Pakistan H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi inaugurated the Conference as the Chief Guest. Conference was attended by a large number of national and international academic experts, scholars, researchers and representatives of development partners and media. The US Ambassador Paul W. Jones also graced the occasion. On behalf of the ECOSF, its President Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro participated in the conference.
The International Conference on Quality Assurance aimed at employing measures to improve the quality of higher education and adopt international quality assurance standards through effective international collaboration cooperation, particularly with the US. The international conference identified number options for international cooperation for advancing the shared agenda, and reviewed national and regional developments in quality assurance in higher education.
In his address at the Conference, President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi emphasized that Universities must focus on enhancing the quality of education and research in addition to increasing enrolments and publications education. Education should be focused on developing human intellect; and it has to be relevant to needs of the society. He underlined that access to quality education is the most important goal for Pakistan to produce a useful workforce in compatible with the demands of emerging market and society.
In his address, the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Mr. Shafqat Mehmood said the government is fully committed to develop a uniform curriculum to improve the quality of education and remove discrepancies among the students of public and private institutions and Madaris across Pakistan. He also appreciated concerted efforts undertaken by the US government and their assistance to Pakistan in education sector.
While addressing the Conference, the Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri highlighted the significance of quality assurance and standards in the higher education sector. This Conference, therefore, is an important step to initiate a plan and generate meaningful dialogue to achieve improved quality of higher education by employing the latest international standards and quality assurance regime. The Chairman HEC emphasized that quality cannot be improved overnight; rather it is a continuous process to sustain and enhance performance.
Some discussants also linked the quality of education at universities with school education; Senator Taj Hayder of Pakistan even emphasized on the importance early childhood education as the base of good quality higher education.
