ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) have sent thousands of scholars to different academically advanced countries under overseas scholarship programmes to produce qualified faculty in different disciplines.
An official of the HEC told the state-run news agency in Islamabad on Tuesday, the aim of the scholarships programme is to produce highly-qualified human resource, which is ultimately contributing to country’s socio-economic development.
HEC have proceeded over 5,780 scholars to abroad, out of which around 3,807 scholars have returned after completion of their studies.
He said that since 2003, HEC has been awarding foreign scholarships to Pakistani students at various levels including Masters, MS and PhD.
These scholars, the official said, have completed their studies or studying in top-ranked universities of Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.
In light of the HEC Vision 2025, the Higher Education Commission plans to take the number of PhD faculty in Pakistani higher education institutions to around 40,000 in order to cater to the country’s growing higher education needs, he added.
A number of overseas and indigenous PhD schemes will help in producing qualified faculty in various disciplines who will serve in different institutions throughout the country.
