President Zardari for building ‘technology highways’ in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the need to build “technology highways” in the country by improving students’ access to information technology infrastructure, bolstering educational programs, and equipping them with modern skills to fully benefit from the knowledge economy.

“Providing laptops to students would increase their access to education, bridge the digital divide, and equip them with technology skills to help them compete in the national and international job markets,” he expressed these views while talking to Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

The Vice Chancellor of QAU briefed the President about the role of QAU in providing quality education, its programmes, and the administrative affairs of the University.

Talking to the Vice Chancellor, President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan was blessed with human resources, which needed to be converted into strength by imparting the latest education and skills.

He highlighted that Pakistan needed to train and educate its human resources, which could be exported to foreign countries facing a shortage of trained professionals to help Pakistan earn foreign exchange.

The President stated that universities were pivotal in producing skilled professionals, who could fulfil local and international market needs. He remarked that Pakistan needed to focus on producing more professionals such as doctors, engineers, nurses, and teachers.

During the meeting, the Vice Chancellor informed that QAU was one of the top-ranking universities in Pakistan and was at 315th position in global rankings.

He apprised that the QAU was focusing on research that could have a positive impact on society, adding that digitalization was the priority of the University.

President Asif Ali Zardari urged the need to further improve the quality of education, besides focusing on the character-building of students. He said that top position holders of QAU should be given Presidential Awards with cash to encourage in their studies.

The President appreciated the role of QAU in Pakistan’s academic sector and assured the Vice Chancellor of his support in handling the financial issues of the University.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that Pakistan and Jordan enjoyed close cordial relations and stressed further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. The president expressed these views during a meeting with the Ambassador of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Pakistan Dr Maen Khreasat who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

The Jordanian ambassador extended an invitation to the president to attend a conference on humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, scheduled to take place in Jordan on June 11. President Asif Ali Zardari assured him of Pakistan’s participation in the conference. The ambassador apprised the president that Jordan had signed a MoU with the Akhuwat Foundation for relief assistance to Palestinians.

The president lauded Jordan for its efforts to provide relief in Palestine.

The ambassador also conveyed a felicitation message from the Jordanian King to President Asif Ali Zardari on assuming his office.Also, President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated President Claudia Sheinbaum on her historic election as the first woman President of Mexico.

In a post on social media platform X, President Zardari said he is proud to share that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the first woman Prime Minister of the Muslim World, who struggled for democracy and women empowerment.

President Zardari said he is looking forward to further strengthening our bilateral ties under your leadership. He extended best wishes for Claudia Sheinbaum’s success and the prosperity of Mexico.