Staff Reporter
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood has said that universities should serve as the centers of quality conventional and virtual education with highly qualified faculty.
This was stated by him while addressing the launching ceremony of Phase-II of the Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative here on Tuesday.
Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Education Minister said Pakistan’s education system was facing a plethora of challenges, particularly lack of quality and relevance, amidst rising demand for universities.
He underlined the importance of interventions like Coursera for students and faculty.
“There is a massive need for skill development in the country, and the courses offered through Coursera is a remarkable intervention especially at a time when Covid-19 has greatly enhanced the importance of online learning.”
The Education Minister hoped that the online courses under DLSEI would make a huge difference by honing in the talent of Pakistani students and improving their employability, enabling them to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
The students, who benefit from the courses, would be able to access courses and certifications from top universities of the world and get an opportunity to enroll themselves into the highest ranked and most expensive online courses.
Dr. Shaista Sohail hoped that the initiative would help the country turn its youth bulge into an asset.
She informed the audience that over 50,000 curated licenses would be issued under the phase-II of the initiative and fist year HEC would distribute 24000 licenses to all public and private sectors universities as per enrollment basis.
She said two percent quota has been specified for people with special needs, in addition to formation of a subsidized model for public sector universities.
Jeff Maggioncalda highlighted the significance of DLSEI for skill development in youth, stating, “investment in youth is an investment in the future.” Earlier, Mr. Nazeer Hussain, Director General IT, HEC presented the concept behind the launch of DLSEI.
