Excellence in Higher Education-Excellence in Higher Education---Some Exciting Initiatives in--Some Exciting Initiatives in

PakistanPakistan

Prof.Atta-ur-RahmanProf.Atta-ur-Rahman, , FRSFRS PhD ( PhD (CantabCantab), ScD (), ScD (CantabCantab))

Federal Minister/Chairman, HigherFederal Minister/Chairman, Higher

Education CommissionEducation Commission

Living in a Changing World

Science and Technology are the

great dividers ---the rich are getting

richer and the poor, poorer

World is inflicted with poverty,

hunger, disease, conflicts, violence,

& economic uncertainty

“EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY”

Why Science andTechnology?Science can help feed the hungry, heal

the sick, contribute to poverty alleviation,

protect the environment, provide dignity

of labour, and unleash the creative

talents of our youth by fostering

innovation and entrepreneurship,

resulting in a satisfying and joyful life

The Magic of Science• Biotechnology

• Information Technology

• Material Sciences

• Pharmaceuticals

• Agricultural Biotechnology

• Health Biotechnology

• CERN

• E-Commerce

• Nanotechnology

• Bucky Balls

• Ageing

• Medicinal Plants

Challenges of a ChangingWorld----- InnovationDetermines Progress New biology is decoding the blue print of life,

learning to manage the placement and

expression of genes and mobilizing

microorganisms to do our work for the

production of new products

New innovations are altering and expanding

the notions of development.

the only constant is change !!

VISIONVISION

Socio-economic development is no longerdependent on natural resources(eg.Japan, European countries)

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE has now become the main has now become the maindriving force of world economies anddriving force of world economies andhence the basis of socio-economichence the basis of socio-economicdevelopmentdevelopment

INDUSTRIALIZATION INDUSTRIALIZATION is the key to highis the key to highGDP growth (through innovation /GDP growth (through innovation /production of high value-added goodsproduction of high value-added goods(engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, IT,(engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, IT,Biotechnology, etc.)Biotechnology, etc.)

Overarching ApproachOverarching Approach

Simultaneous Simultaneous Bi-Modal ApproachBi-Modal Approach

RequiredRequired

–– Bottom-UpBottom-UpBasic Health, Primary Education, Water Basic Health, Primary Education, Water ……..

–– Top-DownTop-DownHigher EducationHigher Education

Emphasis on Science & TechnologyEmphasis on Science & Technology

Industrial LinkagesIndustrial Linkages

Imperatives for Socio-EconomicImperatives for Socio-Economic

DevelopmentDevelopment

Socio-Economic

Development

Central Role of Higher Education/

Technology Development

In National Plans--

VISION!!!!

Linkages Between Applied Research

& Industrial Development

Govt.Facilitating Policies

Quality /Relevance

Of Education/Research

STANDARDS!!

Budgetary Allocations

(Min.2% of GNP)-

The-catch-up game!

Impact of just one institution----MITImpact of just one institution----MIT

MIT graduates and faculty have foundedMIT graduates and faculty have founded

4000 companies4000 companies

Employ: 1.1 million peopleEmploy: 1.1 million people

Annual Sales: $232 billionAnnual Sales: $232 billion

Collectively these companies are the 24thCollectively these companies are the 24thlargest economy in the World!largest economy in the World!

Pakistan---A Promising ProgramPakistan---A Promising Program

100 million below age 25 !! ( 60% population)100 million below age 25 !! ( 60% population)

Higher Education / S&T budget increasedHigher Education / S&T budget increased

dramatically---- 3.5 Billion pounds beingdramatically---- 3.5 Billion pounds being

spent on new engineering universities !spent on new engineering universities !

Full support from Government in drive toFull support from Government in drive to

develop a develop a ““KK”” Economy Economy

Higher Education CommissionHigher Education Commission

Ministerial Level autonomous bodyMinisterial Level autonomous body

A professional governing bodyA professional governing body

Independent of Ministry of Education----Independent of Ministry of Education----

working directly with Prime Minister-henceworking directly with Prime Minister-hence

focused initiative to uplift universitiesfocused initiative to uplift universities

President of Pakistan and Prime MinisterPresident of Pakistan and Prime Minister

of Pakistan along head Chancellorof Pakistan along head Chancellor’’ss

Committee for critical policy decisionsCommittee for critical policy decisions

50 % annual budgetary increases (till 1%50 % annual budgetary increases (till 1%

of GNP in 3 years)of GNP in 3 years)

HEC Plan of ActionHEC Plan of Action

ACCESS / QUALITY / RELEVANCEACCESS / QUALITY / RELEVANCE

Faculty DevelopmentFaculty Development

InfrastructureInfrastructure (Free Access to Literature (Free Access to Literature

Free Access to Sophisticated Instruments,Free Access to Sophisticated Instruments,

Technology Assisted Learning)Technology Assisted Learning)

Focused Support in Key AreasFocused Support in Key Areas

Linkages to the EconomyLinkages to the Economy

Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance

STRATEGYSTRATEGY1) 1) BASIC SCIENCESBASIC SCIENCES

Physics,Chemistry,Mathematics,Biology) Physics,Chemistry,Mathematics,Biology)

2) 2) APPLIED SCIENCESAPPLIED SCIENCES

(Engineering, Agricultural sciences, (Engineering, Agricultural sciences,BiotecnologyBiotecnology, Information Technology,, Information Technology,Pharmaceuticals, New Materials,Pharmaceuticals, New Materials,Communications, Renewable Energy)Communications, Renewable Energy)

3) 3) SOCIAL SCIENCESSOCIAL SCIENCES

4) 4) ECONOMICS, FINANCE, MANAGEMENTECONOMICS, FINANCE, MANAGEMENT

5) 5) LINKAGES WITH INDUSTRYLINKAGES WITH INDUSTRY

6) 6) EMPHASIS ON EMPHASIS ON ““K-ECONOMYK-ECONOMY””---HIGH---HIGHTECH INDUSTRY!!TECH INDUSTRY!!

Attracting the Brightest!Attracting the Brightest!

Change in Salary Structures-Change in Salary Structures---under --under ““TenureTenureTrackTrack”” system salaries of Professors system salaries of Professors raised to 3raised to 3times of Federal Ministers in governmenttimes of Federal Ministers in government!!

Research Productivity Allowance-Research Productivity Allowance----based on---based onCumulative Impact Factors during the precedingCumulative Impact Factors during the precedingyearyear

Reversing the Brain Drain-Reversing the Brain Drain----under ---under ““ForeignForeignFaculty Hiring ProgramFaculty Hiring Program”” 270 eminent ex- 270 eminent ex-patriot/other scientists attracted to return topatriot/other scientists attracted to return toPakistanPakistan

Attracting the Brightest!Attracting the Brightest!

Research Funding Research Funding ( (uptoupto US$ 600,000 US$ 600,000

per international linkage program)per international linkage program)

Guaranteed JobsGuaranteed Jobs to fresh Ph.D.s with to fresh Ph.D.s with

higher salary structures under tenure trackhigher salary structures under tenure track

systemsystem

75% Reduction of 75% Reduction of Income TaxIncome Tax for all for all

academicsacademics

Training the Brightest!Training the Brightest!Massive Foreign scholarship programsMassive Foreign scholarship programsinitiated---500-1000 students being sentinitiated---500-1000 students being sentabroad annually to top universities inabroad annually to top universities inEurope, USA, ChinaEurope, USA, China

Indigenous Ph.D. programs-Indigenous Ph.D. programs---expansion of--expansion ofthe existing Ph.D. output to 1500 per yearthe existing Ph.D. output to 1500 per year

Huge Local Scholarship Programs forHuge Local Scholarship Programs forUndergraduate levelUndergraduate level studies initiated---Rs.1 studies initiated---Rs.1Billion to be spent!Billion to be spent!

Training the Brightest!Training the Brightest!Local Ph.D.s being offeredLocal Ph.D.s being offered

opportunities for opportunities for postdoctoral trainingpostdoctoral training

in top foreign institutions (175)in top foreign institutions (175)

LinkagesLinkages being established with top being established with top

Western Institutions---Western Institutions---50 with British50 with British

UniversitiesUniversities, many others, many others

US$ 150 million US$ 150 million Fulbright programFulbright program for for

MS/Ph.D. level training in topMS/Ph.D. level training in top

universities with USA---largest in world!universities with USA---largest in world!

Training the Brightest-Training the Brightest----Needs----Needs-Based ScholarshipsBased Scholarships

Pakistan blessed with 100 million belowPakistan blessed with 100 million belowthe age of 25----the age of 25----huge pool of creativityhuge pool of creativity

Huge Huge national scholarships programnational scholarships programprogramprogram launched to provide equal launched to provide equalopportunities to allopportunities to all

Admission no longer denied toAdmission no longer denied tomeritorious but poor studentsmeritorious but poor students

Using Technology to Leap-Frog!Using Technology to Leap-Frog!

Pakistan Educational ResearchPakistan Educational Research

NetworkNetwork

Digital Library Program PAKSAT 1Digital Library Program PAKSAT 1

(Pakistan(Pakistan’’s Educational Satellite)s Educational Satellite)

PakistanPakistan’’s Video-conferencing Networks Video-conferencing Network

And an environment thatAnd an environment thatstimulates creativity andstimulates creativity andwelcomes advances in the use ofwelcomes advances in the use ofInformation TechnologyInformation Technology

IT Education

s a n d E a b l i n g e n v i r o m e n tHigh capacity, reliable andaccessible communications

The IT StrategyThe IT Strategy……

Laws and enablingenvironment

Service to theCitizens

822 cities on the Internet

2002

Iran

Afghanistan

India

China

From 40 to 1,000

Cities on Optical

Fibre (2000-2005)SDH/PDH

(525/622 Mb/s)

backbone being

upgraded to

DWDM

10 Gb/s

Spread of Internet Services in Cities & Towns ofPakistan

Information Technology

1050

2000

580

29

0

500

1000

1500

2000

250019

9119

9219

9319

9419

9519

9619

9719

9819

9920

0020

0120

0220

03

Year

Internet user growthInternet user growth

Internet users

-

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

Jan-

95Ja

n-96

Jan-

97Ja

n-98

Jan-

99Ja

n-00

Jan-

01Ja

n-02

Internet users

Start point

Today

June 2000: 130,000 Oct 2006: >12 million

Actual users

more than 6

Million!

Dial up

Plummeting costsPlummeting costs……..

Cost /E1

-

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

Mar

-00

May

-00

Jul-0

0Sep

-00

Nov

-00

Jan-

01M

ar-0

1M

ay-0

1

US

$

Cost /E1

Start point

Today

June 2000: US$ 87,000/E1 August 2001: US$ 6,000

October 2004 : US$ 3,800

Now US$ 1,500/2 Mb/s !

Bandwidth AvailableBandwidth Available

Operative Data bandwidth

-

50

100

150

200

250

300

Jan-

96Ju

l-96

Jan-

97Ju

l-97

Jan-

98Ju

l-98

Jan-

99Ju

l-99

Jan-

00Ju

l-00

Jan-

01Ju

l-01

Jan-

02

Mb

/s

Operative Data bandwidth

today

Start point

August 2000: 32 Mb/s Mar 2002: 265 Mb/s

2006: 10 Gb/s Loops

Mobile Telephony---the Effect ofMobile Telephony---the Effect of

one Good Decision!one Good Decision!

1992-2000, little Growth(300,000 phones)1992-2000, little Growth(300,000 phones)

20012001, , CPP regimeCPP regime brought in brought in

Network expansion of 3 million phone-Network expansion of 3 million phone-

lines ordered in 2002 ! lines ordered in 2002 ! MobilinkMobilink, U-, U-fonefone

Explosive growth continues till today (overExplosive growth continues till today (over24 million phones today24 million phones today——hottest sector ofhottest sector of

the economy)the economy)

PERNPERN

Pakistan Education & ResearchPakistan Education & Research

NetworkNetwork

Jamshoro

TandojamNawab Shah

D.I.Khan

Topi

Khairpur

Khuzdar

Abbottabad

E3

Bac

kbon

eE3

Bac

kbone

Core Network Nodes 03Total Universities 56(16 OFS, 22 DXX, 17 DRS, 1 VSAT)

Pakistan Education andPakistan Education and

Research NetworkResearch NetworkInformation highway exclusively forInformation highway exclusively foruniversitiesuniversities

Promote collaborative research and thePromote collaborative research and thesharing of domain knowledgesharing of domain knowledge

Platform for launching aggressive distancePlatform for launching aggressive distanceeducation programseducation programs

Platform for Digital Library service for allPlatform for Digital Library service for alluniversitiesuniversities

Digital LibraryDigital Library

22,000 full text journals22,000 full text journals——nation-wide,free-nation-wide,free-

of-charge!!!of-charge!!!

Abstracts of 20,000 journalsAbstracts of 20,000 journals

One Window Search EngineOne Window Search Engine

Web of Science, Web of Science, ScifinderScifinder Scholar, Scholar,EMBASE, IEEE, EMBASE, IEEE, Chem/Biol.AbstractsChem/Biol.Abstracts etc. etc.

International volunteer lecture programInternational volunteer lecture program

through through PaksatPaksat 1 1

Virtual UniversityVirtual University

4 Digital Satellite (PAKSAT) TV Channels4 Digital Satellite (PAKSAT) TV Channels

for content delivery (License for 2 granted)for content delivery (License for 2 granted)

Satellite Earth StationSatellite Earth Station

2 Recording Studios2 Recording Studios

Potential for providing high quality trainingPotential for providing high quality trainingin remote areas of Pakistanin remote areas of Pakistan

PAKSAT 1 PAKSAT 1 ––A major opportunityA major opportunity

PAKSAT 1PAKSAT 1

A MAJOR COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITEA MAJOR COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITEWITH 34 TRANSPONDERSWITH 34 TRANSPONDERS

CAPABLE OF CARRYING 250 TVCAPABLE OF CARRYING 250 TVCHANNELS!!( 4 New TV Channels forCHANNELS!!( 4 New TV Channels forEducation!)Education!)

BACKBONE FOR PERN (PakistanBACKBONE FOR PERN (PakistanEducational Educational ResearhResearh Network) Network)

Paksat 1Paksat 1

Ku BandKu Band

C-BandC-Band

Distance LearningDistance Learning

MIT Open CoursewareMIT Open Courseware

University of California TelevisionUniversity of California Television

E-Books ProgramE-Books Program

Virtual UniversityVirtual University

Video Lecturing FacilityVideo Lecturing Facility

Using Technology to OvercomeUsing Technology to Overcome

–– Faculty ShortageFaculty Shortage

–– Cost of TravelCost of Travel

Nation-wide Lecture Series---sharingNation-wide Lecture Series---sharing

Faculty!!Faculty!!

International Lecture SeriesInternational Lecture Series

International Video-lecturingInternational Video-lecturing

ProgramProgram

High quality video-conferencing equipmentHigh quality video-conferencing equipment

under installationunder installation

Series of international lectures (nation-Series of international lectures (nation-

wide) by Nobel Laureates and topwide) by Nobel Laureates and top

professors from leading universities inprofessors from leading universities in

USA, Europe, Japan etc. from NovemberUSA, Europe, Japan etc. from November

20062006

Core Groups in different disciplines formedCore Groups in different disciplines formed

to to organiseorganise lectures ( lectures (MathsMaths, Physics,, Physics,

Chemistry, Biology etc.)Chemistry, Biology etc.)

Supporting Private SectorSupporting Private Sector

EducationEducation

Matching Grants for New institutionsMatching Grants for New institutions

established in public sector universitiesestablished in public sector universities

Funding for development Funding for development

Land on long term leaseLand on long term lease

Sharing faculty salariesSharing faculty salaries

Access to Digital LibraryAccess to Digital Library

Access to Research FundingAccess to Research Funding

Innovation/EntrepreneurshipInnovation/Entrepreneurship

Impregnating Innovation/Impregnating Innovation/

Entrepreneurship in University programsEntrepreneurship in University programs

STED : Access to Venture CapitalSTED : Access to Venture Capital

Technology Parks/Business IncubatorsTechnology Parks/Business Incubators

Islamabad Technology EstateIslamabad Technology Estate

Establishment of New Engineering,Establishment of New Engineering,Science & Technology UniversitiesScience & Technology Universities

(UESTP)(UESTP)

Partner CountriesPartner Countries

France France

SwedenSweden

Germany x 2Germany x 2

AustriaAustria

JapanJapan

ItalyItaly

ChinaChina

South KoreaSouth Korea

UK visible by its absenceUK visible by its absence !!!! (20 million!!!! (20 million

pounds spent annually by 9,000 Pakistanipounds spent annually by 9,000 Pakistani

students in UK alone)students in UK alone)

Demographic Changes inDemographic Changes in

EuropeEurope——A Major Opportunity !A Major Opportunity !

Diminishing younger populations ofDiminishing younger populations of

scientists & engineers in Europescientists & engineers in Europe

Companies looking for countries with highCompanies looking for countries with high

engineering skill base/lower manpowerengineering skill base/lower manpower

costs to outsource future high techcosts to outsource future high tech

industriesindustries

A major opportunity for Europe, if theyA major opportunity for Europe, if theycan have highly qualified science &can have highly qualified science &

engineering manpower trained to topengineering manpower trained to top

standardsstandards

UESTP ConceptUESTP Concept

Consortium of leading Universities withConsortium of leading Universities with

one as lead university---4,500 of ourone as lead university---4,500 of ourbrightest students being sent for MS/PhDbrightest students being sent for MS/PhD

Rector, Deans, Heads of Departments Rector, Deans, Heads of Departments

and 25% faculty from partner countryand 25% faculty from partner country

Joint DegreesJoint Degrees

Examination /quality assurance controlled Examination /quality assurance controlled

by European universitiesby European universities

Complete equivalenceComplete equivalence

Classes commence in 2007/2008 !!Classes commence in 2007/2008 !!

Education with EmploymentEducation with Employment

Key to success is to link Key to success is to link ‘‘education with employmenteducation with employment’’..

The transfer of skills seamlessly to employment inThe transfer of skills seamlessly to employment intechnologically-advanced industry close to thetechnologically-advanced industry close to theUniversity is planned.University is planned.

Ideas to products and wealth creation via research andIdeas to products and wealth creation via research anddevelopment is an aim.development is an aim.

Manpower for partner UniversityManpower for partner University’’s ideas and industrials ideas and industrialventures is another potential benefit.ventures is another potential benefit.

Trained manpower for partner countryTrained manpower for partner country’’s industry baseds industry basedeither in Pakistan or abroad may be a benefit.either in Pakistan or abroad may be a benefit.

Low-cost, high-quality manpower will fill the gap ofLow-cost, high-quality manpower will fill the gap ofexpensive and scarce manpower resources overseas.expensive and scarce manpower resources overseas.

Benefits to Foreign PartnersBenefits to Foreign Partners

Availability of pool of well trained labour forAvailability of pool of well trained labour forexpansion of partner countryexpansion of partner country’’s industry ins industry inPakistan and make it globally competitivePakistan and make it globally competitive

Access to PakistanAccess to Pakistan’’s large and expandings large and expandingmarket .market .

Highly-qualified labour attracted from PakistanHighly-qualified labour attracted from Pakistanwill overcome demographic factors andwill overcome demographic factors andshortage of labour force.shortage of labour force.

Benefits to PakistanBenefits to Pakistan

PakistanPakistan’’s industry will benefit by rapid increase ins industry will benefit by rapid increase intechnologically-trained manpower.technologically-trained manpower.

Education with employment will not only enhance theEducation with employment will not only enhance theknowledge base but also national wealth.knowledge base but also national wealth.

High-technology activities will stimulate local suppliersHigh-technology activities will stimulate local suppliersand improve infrastructure and local standards.and improve infrastructure and local standards.

Inward foreign investment will help PakistanInward foreign investment will help Pakistan’’s economy.s economy.

More employment for Pakistanis will be an outcome.More employment for Pakistanis will be an outcome.

Expatriates will be attracted back to Pakistan.Expatriates will be attracted back to Pakistan.

Help build the knowledge economy of PakistanHelp build the knowledge economy of Pakistan

Benefits to Foreign PartnersBenefits to Foreign Partners

Research and Development laboratories can beResearch and Development laboratories can beset up overseas for product development.set up overseas for product development.

Consultancy service opportunities will beConsultancy service opportunities will beavailable for faculty.available for faculty.

Availability of pool of well trained labour forAvailability of pool of well trained labour forexpansion of industry in Pakistanexpansion of industry in Pakistan

Access to PakistanAccess to Pakistan’’s large and expandings large and expandingmarketmarket

ResultsResults

120% in ISI abstracted publications over120% in ISI abstracted publications over

last 3 years----rate of increase highest inlast 3 years----rate of increase highest inIslamic worldIslamic world

Young men and women have startedYoung men and women have started

opting to adopt careers in S&T subjects asopting to adopt careers in S&T subjects as

first choicefirst choice

Landscape of Universities has begun toLandscape of Universities has begun tochangechange

Strategy forStrategy forEconomic Development Economic Development –– HE,S&T HE,S&T

16019.6Saudi Arabia

OIC Countries

2308.1Austria

26010.2Belgium

Knowledge Based Economies

GDP(Billion US$)

Population(Million)

Country

GDP OF ISLAMIC WORLDGDP OF ISLAMIC WORLD

THE TOTAL GDP OF ALL OIC MEMBERTHE TOTAL GDP OF ALL OIC MEMBERCOUNTRIES IS ONLY USD 1200bln---LESSCOUNTRIES IS ONLY USD 1200bln---LESSTHAN HALF OF GERMANY(USD 2500bln)THAN HALF OF GERMANY(USD 2500bln)AND LESS THAN A QUARTER OF JAPANAND LESS THAN A QUARTER OF JAPAN(USD 5000bln)!!!----INSPITE OF OUR(USD 5000bln)!!!----INSPITE OF OURHAVING OVER 70% OF THE WORLDHAVING OVER 70% OF THE WORLD’’SSENERGY RESOURCES AND A QUARTERENERGY RESOURCES AND A QUARTEROF THE WORLDS POPULATIONOF THE WORLDS POPULATION

JAPAN HAS VIRTUALLY NO NATURALJAPAN HAS VIRTUALLY NO NATURALRESOURCES BUT OVER 1000 UNIVERSITIESRESOURCES BUT OVER 1000 UNIVERSITIES(OVER 120 IN TOKYO ALONE)----IN CONTRAST(OVER 120 IN TOKYO ALONE)----IN CONTRASTONLY ABOUT 500 UNIVERSITIES IN ISLAMICONLY ABOUT 500 UNIVERSITIES IN ISLAMICWORLD!!WORLD!!

Expenditure on Defense, Health and R & D (Arab OIC Countries)

7.1

1.250.2

0

2

4

6

8Def

ense

Hea

lth

R &

D

% of GDP

Source: Strategy for the Development of Science & Technology in Islamic Countries

Real Wealth--Real Wealth--

Our Children-Our Children----with a population of 156---with a population of 156

million, about a 100 million below the agemillion, about a 100 million below the ageof 25, Pakistan is blessed with a huge poolof 25, Pakistan is blessed with a huge pool

of creativityof creativity

ChallengeChallenge is to empower them with is to empower them with

quality education and skills-quality education and skills----and---andprovide them opportunities to contribute toprovide them opportunities to contribute to

the process of socio-economicthe process of socio-economic

developmentdevelopment

!!

ThanksThanks