Oxford University Desire To Set Up Special Window For Pakistani Students. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), has highlighted the importance of establishing a Pakistan Window’ at the University of Oxford as well as an Oxford University Window’ at HEC in order to assist Pakistani students and researchers to access different opportunities and programs at Oxford.
This was Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad’s statement while speaking to a delegation from the University of Oxford and Oxford Pakistan Programmes (OPP) during their visit to HEC Secretariat. The delegation met with Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairman of HEC, and senior HEC management to discuss ways to address the problem of Pakistan’s under-representation at Oxford.
In his welcome address, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed explained the objectives and profile of HEC. The delegation was assured by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed of HEC’s support for increasing the access of scholars and students from Pakistan to Oxford. He said HEC will facilitate institution-to-institution collaboration in academic and research areas.
He stressed the importance of collaborating to increase the number of Pakistani scholars at Oxford. Currently, only 22 Pakistani students have been awarded scholarships for higher education. He praised the Pakistan-UK Education Gateway’s achievements and called for other practical measures, including sponsorship to support scholars and students.
Oxford University Desire To Set Up Special Window For Pakistani Students Meeting Objectives
The Chairman stressed that Oxford’s Pakistan Chair must be functional. He stressed that the Pakistani diaspora and especially those families who have lived in the UK for generations must have the opportunity to learn about their ancestral culture through internships and other opportunities at the top Pakistani institutions. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in research areas such as global challenges, postdoctoral fellowships, and leadership training programs between Pakistani universities.
The delegation was led by Professor Stephen Blyth of Oxford University. He appreciated the role played by HEC in promoting higher education in Pakistan and supporting research. He hoped that the efforts of HEC to develop university-to-university collaboration will help increase access of Pakistani students to study at Oxford and address the issue of Pakistan’s under-representation in the university.
OPP Goals
OPP representatives highlighted the background and goals of OPP and stated that OPP was the first initiative of its type that created new opportunities for Pakistani scholars. They also supported Pakistan-related activities at Oxford. OPP’s main goals are to raise Pakistan’s academic profile and support Pakistan-related research at Oxford. They also aim to act as a bridge between Oxford and Pakistan by sharing scholars and scholarship and increasing the number of British Pakistani students at Oxford.
Oxford University Delegation Team Members
The Oxford University delegation included Dr. Nick Brown, Associate, Tavistock Consulting, Ms. Fiona Blyth, and Professor at Oxford Department of International Development Oxford University Prof. Adel Malik. While the OPP delegation consisted of Dr. Talha Pirzada, Lecturer in Material Sciences, Oxford; Associate at Travers Smith LLP Mr. Haroon Zaman, Associate Director, Barclays Bank Ms. Minahil Saqib, Vice President, Blackrock London Dr. Mohsin Javed, Dr. Ahmad Owais Pirzada, OPP Coordinator Pakistan. The delegates were also accompanied by Mr. Yasir, Director of Development, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Shaista Sohail (Executive Director HEC), Adviser Quality Assurance & Global Engagement HEC Mr. Awais Ahmad, Adviser Academics Accreditation & National Academy of Higher Education Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, and the Adviser Planning, Development, and Finance Engineering Engr. Dr. Muhammad Mazhar Saeed.