Pak-US Knowledge Corridor Significant Initiative: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 09th Nov, 2016 ) : Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pak-US Knowledge Corridor was one of the most significant initiatives in the entire diplomatic history of Pakistan and the United States.

Talking to US Deputy Assistant secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Angela Aggeler and US Ambassador David Hale here on Wednesday, he said the initiative would facilitate as many as 10,000 talented Pakistani scholars for enrolment in the top US universities in next 10 years.

It had all potential to further promote the people-to- people relations, he said. The minister said Pakistan highly valued its relations with the US. It was committed to expand mutual cooperation with the US government in the sectors which would bring socio-economic benefits and well being of the region.

He viewed that the Knowledge Corridor was the key to achieve the agenda of Pakistan Vision 2025 for transforming the country into knowledge economy. Both countries would have to further promote mutual cooperation to deal the challenge of poverty, economic imbalance and social injustice, he added.

He said the government was committed to increase access to higher education and for that purpose sub-campuses and virtual campuses are being established at district level so as to enable aspiring students to gain higher education at their doorstep.

He said that Pakistani women were playing a significant role in boosting up the country's economy and thereby the PML-N government was committed to increase their involvement in public sector against key positions and create sustainable working conditions to maximum level.

The minister said the Pakistan Engineering Council was also developing a programme for female engineers by virtue of which they would be able to contribute and work right from their homes. He informed the delegation that Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Engineering Council were also working together on start up cup an initiative to encourage young entrepreneurs.