The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU Correspondent

Quality education has become imperative for sustainable development of the country and achievement of this objective demands proper attention.

This was stated by speakers at a seminar on " Development through Education: Opportunities in Bangladesh and Pakistan" at a city hotel yesterday.

The seminar was organised by the University and industry alliance (U&I), Management and Development Consultants affiliated with the Dhaka University.

Speakers pointed out that thousands of Bangladeshi students were studying in foreign countries to get quality education, but the government still could not formulate any policy on foreign providers by setting up of offshore campuses in the country. This policy could have saved a lot of foreign currency for the country by obtaining same degree from local institute with international standard at their doorsteps, they added.

Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof SMA Faiz inaugurated the seminar. Alamgir Babar, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh, was special guest at the seminar.

Nasreen M Kasuri, Founder of Beaconhouse School System, Prof GM Chowdhury, President U & I, Prof Ataur Rahman of Political Science Department of Dhaka University and Dr Zubair A Sheikh of National University of Computer and Engineering Sciences in Pakistan, presented keynote papers at the seminar.

Prof Faiz said higher education commonly refers to university education which by its very diversity transcends a broad spectrum of social arrangements that range from general knowledge dissemination and skill development to good government.

"Higher education has profoundly changed in the past two decades, and those involved in academic enterprises have yet to grapple with many implications of these changes," he added.

He further said that academic institutions and systems have faced pressures of increasing number of students and demographic changes, demands for accountability, reconsideration of the social and economic role of higher education, and the impact of new technologies, among others.

For attaining sustainable development universities as agents for setting societies tune must focus on all aspects of public awareness, education and training to develop the knowledge, skills, perspectives and values which will empower people of all ages to assume responsibility for creating and enjoying a sustainable future, the VC said.

Declaring100 scholarships for Bangladeshi Students in Pakistan, Pakistan High Commissioner said today's world is knowledge based. So, higher education is a must to develop socio-economic condition of a country. He said economic progress is linked with higher education.

Prof GM Chowdhury said with large numbers of students going abroad from Bangladesh annually for higher studies, Pakistan can also offer quality education with the convenience of geographical and socio-cultural proximity as well as other advantages.