Gilani stresses knowledge-based economy for sustainable growth

RAWALPINDI, May 5 (APS) : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said the government believed in a knowledge-based economy and called for promoting research and linkages between development institutions and industry to achieve sustainable economic growth. Addressing the 14th Convocation of the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME), under the National University of Sciences and Technology, he said high priority needs to be given to the development and advancement of science and technology.
Giving his vision of promoting science and technology in the country, Gilani stressed strengthening of existing institutions involved in research and development activities both in the public and private sector.
“Strong linkages should be established between research and development institutions and industry for value addition in the manufacturing sector,” he added.
Gilani called for capacity building of the manpower in research and development centers with emphasis to improve qualitative research.
He lauded NUST as a centre of excellence that was undertaking qualitative comprehensive learning programme that not only included all disciplines of engineering but also subjects like business administration and information technology.
Gilani said universities should not just produce job seekers but also job creators through research, technology, management entrepreneurship.
The Prime Minister was particularly pleased to note presence of several female graduates that represented a right kind of gender-mix in steering country on road to progress and development.
Gilani greeted the faculty on the listing of NUST among the world’s top 500 universities, due to quality research and an excellent academic environment.
He announced a grant of Rs. 50 million for the construction of an academic block and another Rs. 39 million for promotion of sports facility and PM’s Gold Medal and grant to the overall best students to complete their Ph.D degree abroad.
The Prime Minister later awarded gold medals to top winners and degrees to the batch of 210 graduates in the disciplines of electrical, mechanical, computer and mechatronics.
In his address, Director NUST, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Asghar noted that higher education was gaining unprecedented momentum in the country.
He said NUST now ranked among the world top 500 universities because of its world-class research and linkages with international institutions.
Gen. Asghar informed that NUST had collaboration with 40 universities in 15 countries, which were keen to expand their collaboration with NUST for its quality graduates.
He said the university was reaching to disadvantage people through its outreach programme and sought the government support in this regard.
The commandant of EME College, Maj. Gen. Najeeb Tariq, recapped the activities of the institution set up in Quetta in 1957.
Having established its credibility as a premier equipment-training institute, EME College started its own B.Sc. Engineering Program in 1981, which was subsequently shifted to Naval Engineering College, Karachi.
In April 1984, having stayed for 26 years at Quetta, the College moved to its present premises.
Gen. Tariq said that the college faculty has contributed 1800 research papers in reputed journals.
The institution, he added, was working whole-heartedly to achieve new heights.