ISLAMABAD: 5th Vice-Chancellors' Forum of Universities in Islamic World on theme 'Towards Disruptive Technology in Globalised World' was inaugurated here. Over 250 Vice Chancellors including 40 from 20 OIC countries are participating in Forum, which is aimed at sharing experiences, pooling resources, fostering collaborations, strengthening networks between universities and promoting dialogue on future of higher education in Islamic World.

VC Forum 2023 is being jointly organised by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Islamabad, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamic World Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), and British Council Pakistan.

President Arif Alvi in video link highlighted huge potential of youth bulge of country and called for setting vision for higher education. He said Muslims could not keep pace with adoption of technology, which needs to change on war-footing. He added that in last 10 years, sectors focusing on natural resources were overtaken by large technological conglomerates like Amazon and Google. These companies have attracted intellectual capital from world and raised need for greater access to quality online education particularly in developing countries.

Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasised need for skill development of youth and that universities needed to respond more effectively to rapidly developing realities. He called upon all Islamic countries to pool resources and expertise to benefit entire Muslim Ummah. He said most important outcome of education is development of good moral character. He highlighted need to develop a framework for mutual recognition of degrees among OIC member states, which can potentially facilitate greater movement of skilled manpower and increase collaborative research between Islamic countries.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik Director General ICESCO said that mankind has been given limited knowledge, yet this little knowledge has caused great disruption such that what is taught in universities is almost redundant by time student graduate. He informed audience that development of robotics would make 97 million jobs obsolete in next 10 years, 375 million people would have to switch their jobs, causing immense disruption and increasing digital divide.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Chairman HEC urged participants to contemplate how Muslim ummah can be steered into right direction. He reminisced immense contributions of early Muslims, that were fundamental to advances in science and technology being at root of global development today.

Rector Comsats University Islamabad Prof. Dr. Muhammad T. Afzal emphasised importance of curriculum development and providing equal opportunities to students. He urged government to allocate at least 4 percent of GDP to education only then would country be able to reverse current negative trend of brain drain.

Advisor to President of Council of Higher Education, Turkiye Mustafa Turker Ari informed audience about havoc caused by recent earthquakes in Turkiye that has affected 9 percent of entire student population and how country was responding by initially resorting to online education, which would gradually lead to hybrid mode. He said that his country laid great emphasis on Techno Parks in view of strong global competition for creating entrepreneurial opportunities for youth.

Maria Rehman Country Director British Council talked about reforming educational system, building partnerships for increasing access to quality learning, which is quite challenge. She pointed out disconnect between universities and industry and need to bridge this gap.

Memorandum of Understanding between Higher Education Commission and World Business Angels Investment Forum was signed during opening ceremony.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 20 2023

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