HEC approve Rs 35 Mln Project in Pakistan
Pakistan Times National News Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a scheme for establishment of a resource laboratory and launching fellowship programmes at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore.

A project costing Rs35 million has been approved in the Departmental Development Working Party [DDWP] meeting of the HEC. According to an official statement, the project attends to the neglected aspect of capacity-building of medical teachers.

The major objectives of the scheme include not only to facilitate research scholars in undertaking research projects in basic medical sciences, but also strengthen the neglected fields of this sector.

Aims and Objectives

The scheme would also be helpful in increasing the faculty for basic medical sciences at the university. Rationalizing the medical education to deal with modern needs and promoting an atmosphere conducive for research are some of the other goals of the scheme.

It also aims at producing high-quality doctors with strong background in basic sciences and quality medical education. It is anticipated that the project would go a long way in updating medical education, especially in basic sciences, and approximately 2,000 students of medical colleges would be benefited.

The scheme will not only rectify the paucity of qualified medical teachers in basic sciences, but better quality of human resource will also be developed in the university.

China Offers Scholarships to Pakistan for Incubator Technology

Meanwhile, China will provide ten scholarships to Pakistan from this year for training in incubator technology to develop new business opportunities in the country.

An agreement to this effect was arrived at between a Chinese Institute of Ministry of Science and Technology and a Pakistani delegation, led by Rehman Naseer Chaudhry, Chairman National Assembly's Standing Committee on Science and Technology.

China has also agreed to help setting up technology incubators as well as promoting other research activities in Pakistan, this was stated by a member of Pakistan's delegation Dr. Anwarul Haq, Chairman Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

These incubators will help providing necessary facilities including finance, skills and support in business and marketing management under one roof.

Productive Talks

The delegation held very useful discussion with the Chinese side to develop bilateral cooperation in promoting research activities, particularly to develop business incubator technology.

China has founded more than 130 high-tech business incubators since opening its first in 1987, according to statistics from the Torch High-Technology Industry Development Center, under the Ministry of Science and Technology [MOST].

The ventures are sprinkled among office buildings, universities, and established state-owned enterprises [SOEs]. Most incubators provide companies with low-cost office space and strategic advice on issues such as management and financing, and most are government-owned.

Objectives

It also serves as a tool to energize Chinese entrepreneurship with vitally needed managerial guidance, capital, and institutional support.

Credible sources said China is also prepared to help Pakistan setting up of S&T Parks. China has established 53 Technology Parks and Zones in the country.

The Chinese side has also shown willingness to help in establishing a Material Science Centre in Pakistan. The two countries have recently signed a protocol to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology.

Under the protocol, they are committed to undertake 34 different projects during the next two years giving boost to industrial and agricultural growth.●