Kamran Raja
HESSA will support Pakistani higher education through institutional strengthening that will lead to a better skilled workforce and hence better economic outcomes. This activity will build on previous investments such as the Merit and Need-Based Scholarship Program, the Centers for Advanced Study Project and other previous USAID interventions in higher education. The activity will leverage evidence-based best practices from the Asia region, global higher education.
The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is working with the Government of Pakistan to improve Pakistan’s higher education system and improve graduate employability. This is another example of the breadth of cooperation between the United States and Pakistan as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
It’s a need of time to increase the capacity of Pakistan higher education system for sustainable management and improve equitable access to quality higher education services, especially for underserved individual communities especially women students from underserved areas and people with disabilities.
it will also help to open up the opportunities at large scale specially at international level.
USAID is proud to partner with the Commission on Higher Education on this program. The Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) will build stronger connection with the Pakistani universities that provide the educational and research experiences students need to be more employable in the local market.
It will equip talented young people with the skills needed to find work and launch their careers. It will also support industry needs, increase hiring and productivity, and stimulate further economic growth.
HESSA will also respond to the needs of industry, the business community and the sectors contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth in general.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works with the Government of Pakistan and development partners to improve access to and improve the quality of primary and higher education.
United States Ambassador Donald Blome met with University of Utah officials and Federal Secretary of Development Planning and Special Initiatives Mr. Ahsan Iqbal to open the International Higher Education and Human Development Summit. The summit was organized by the USAID.
Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), funded and focuses on the role of higher education in the 21st century, emphasizing the fluid nature of learning and employment, and examining how universities can reposition themselves in this ever-changing landscape . The activity will support policy reforms with Higher Education Commission Pakistan.
Ambassador Donald Blome celebrated 75 years of US-Pakistan partnership. In a country where more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30, we must continue to help reach their full potential.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the Pakistani government is open to improving the higher education system and exploring different options to capitalize on the rich potential of the country’s youth.
He cherished Pakistan’s 75-year partnership with the US government and hailed the Ugandan government’s support of academia through specialized investment in higher education.
He added that academic institutions and the public and private sectors need to come together to Accelerate this development. Mr. Iqbal tasked Pakistani higher education officials to improve higher education. dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC), the HEC will continue to work with the USAID Hessa .
The government will form a cadre of experts to improve the employability of graduates.The ultimate goal of an institute is to provide young people with the skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the workforce, both locally and globally.
HESSA is supported by the United States through USAID, and is being implemented in collaboration with 16 Pakistani public universities and other stakeholders, with a focus on strengthening the capacity of Universities to provide market-oriented education, research and graduate employability.
HESSA is an innovative initiative that is expected to make notable contributions to improving the institutional and technical capacities of its partner universities, which will impact the quality of our future academics.
I am sure that the association of universities with HESSA associated higher education institutions will lead to policy reforms that will benefit all universities in Pakistan.
