Retention of HEC’s central role sought

RAWALPINDI, March 30: Vice Chancellor Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Dr Khalif Mehmood Khan said the central role of Higher Education Commission should be retained for the development of universities. He was addressing the 12th convocation of the university on Wednesday when 1,517 graduates of the 2010 session, including 21 PhDs, were awarded degrees in different disciplines. Besides, 59 graduates were given medals for their outstanding results. The VC requested Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, who was the chief guest, to play his role in retaining the central role of HEC for the better future of higher education in the country as under the commission the universities had made a lot of progress and a good number of students had availed scholarships. The governor, however, did not make any comments on the matter in his speech and urged the graduates to go for research-based education with focus on agriculture. He said it was heartening to see that the AAU was doing extensive work in the field of agriculture. The governor also applauded the efforts of HEC in giving a roadmap and vision to the nation regarding higher education in science and technology. The commission has brought a paradigm shift to the culture of universities and institutions of higher learning, he said. Earlier, the governor inaugurated the newly-constructed building of University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology on the campus. He also opened a flower show arranged by the department of horticulture in collaboration with National Horticulture Society of Pakistan.