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
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)
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