Education linkages between New Zealand and Pakistan

HEC seeks institutional linkages between New Zealand, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD—Hamish MacMaster, High Commissioner of New Zealand Wednesday called on Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to Prime Minister and Chairperson Higher Education Commission (HEC), to discuss the cooperation in the field of Higher Education and Institutional links between the two countries.

Shehnaz Wazir Ali informed Hamish MacMaster about the Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN) and desired to have research collaboration of Pakistani universities with New Zealand universities through virtual connectivity. She also discussed other possibilities and avenues of cooperation in the field of higher education in Pakistan and Institutional linkages between universities of New Zealand and Pakistan.

She also discussed the prevailing financial crisis in the country and particularly its effects on HEC scholarship programmes. As HEC is currently funding 2825 scholars studying abroad and 3765 scholars studying in Pakistan which is a big liability for government of Pakistan to fund them for next 5 years."HEC does not have enough funds in Financial Year 2008- 2009 from Government of Pakistan to support 326 selected candidates including 85 candidates who have been selected for New Zealand universities. However, HEC is expecting to get enough funds in FY 2009-2010 to support these 326 candidates for doctoral studies," she added.

She expected that the possibilities should be explored for financial support to 85 HEC scholars by New Zealand Government and asked Hamish MacMaster to seek the possibility of at least 50 percent cost sharing by Government of New Zealand.

The possibilities of fund raising by private sector were also discussed in the meeting and the chairperson emphasized to discover further steps for fund raising from private universities and industries as well as aggressive marketing on HEC achievements.

The HEC has sent 111 scholars to New Zealand, out of which, 48 scholars are studying in Massey University whereas 63 scholars are studying in University of Auckland. In addition, 85 scholars have been selected and admitted in Massey (47) and Auckland (38) but have been advised not to proceed due to economical crises.

Wazir Ali appreciated the cooperation of New Zealand Government particularly University of Auckland and Massey University who could be the active partners to produce necessary human resources for the development of Pakistan. The High Commissioner conveyed best wishes of the University of Auckland and Massey University for HEC and teir desire for the continuation and expansion of scholarship program. The meeting which was attended by Prof. Dr. S. Mahmood Raza, Adviser (HRD) HEC and Moin M Fudda, Honorary Consul General of New Zealand for Pakistan ended with mutual agreement that both parties will try their best to extend the cooperation in Higher Education sector and proposed Institutional linkages between both the governments.

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