Pakistan's Future lies in Elevating Standards of Technology Education

The survival of nations across the globe, including Pakistan, depends on adopting emerging technologies and learning corroborating skills. There is a need for continued evaluation of technologies programs falling under the ambit of the National Technology Council Pakistan (NTC). This was jointly stated by members of the 4th meeting of the Accreditation Committee of the NTC chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chairman of the NTC and Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad. Other members of the meeting included Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Rector, National Textile University, Faisalabad (Convener Subcommittee on All Engineering Technologies); Prof. Dr. Anwar Khitab, Dean, MUST; Prof. Dr. Umair Abdullah, former Dean, Northern University Nowshera, and Mr. Muhammad Fahd Amin, Acting Director NTC.

The Committee unanimously approved provisional permissions for launching 41 engineering technology programs in 19 higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country. Acting on the advice of the evaluation team followed by assessment at this Committee, two universities are being advised to halt their engineering technology programs. Moreover, the Committee endorsed a grant of accreditation for 32 Engineering Technology Programs in 13 HEIs.

The Vice Chairman stressed expediting the approval of the NTC Act, including the service structure for technologists with privileges and perks. Technologists will play a major role in adopting the realities of artificial intelligence-based smart infrastructures.

Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Rector of the National Textile University, proposed adopting and implementing a Professor of Practice for teaching various technologies programs. According to him, people with hands-on experience excel in teaching skills required for operating offices and workplaces with advanced technologies and infrastructures.