UK Higher education delegation meets Punjab governor

Lahore:  A delegation of UK Higher Education leaders led by Slr Steve Smith met Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman at Governor House Lahore on Saturday.

Provincial Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat Khan, was also present on the occasion. The delegation comprised Dr Wendy Alexander, Scotland's Education Champion.notable delegates from UK universities and British Council Pakistan representatives.

 Governor Punjab welcomed the participants of the delegation.

Talking on this occasion, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its long-standing relations with Britain.

He said that more and more exchange programs should be started in the field of education between Pakistan and the UK. He said that the exchange of such educational delegations would help promote cooperation in higher education and research between Pakistan and the UK.

 He further stated that the government is taking steps to advance higher education and social welfare through research commercialization, innovation and collaboration. He said that he wants the academia associated with the UK universities to strengthen the educational exchange with the universities of Punjab. He said that he would like to express his sincere gratitude to the UK Government, British Council, Universities in the UK and HEC representatives for their collaborative endeavors aimed at internationalizing higher education through the promotion of principles such as quality, equity and transparency Governor Punjab expressed  hope that this continued cooperation will have a positive impact on the future of higher education.

Later, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman along with his wife planted sapling in Governor House Lahore along with the students of Crescent Model Higher Secondary School Girls Campus in connection with Earth Day.

Speaking on this occasion, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that trees produce oxygen for us, provide shade in the scorching heat and keep the climate moderate. He said that we should actively plant trees to control the increasing environmental pollution, to mitigate the effects of climate change and for the country's economic prosperity. Governor Punjab said that in Quran and Hadees, planting trees and protecting them has been declared as an important duty and ongoing charity. The Governor of Punjab said that it is a very welcome thing that the students of Crescent Model Higher Secondary School, Girls Campus have participated in the plantation campaign here today at the Governor's House.

Besides, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman attended the book launching ceremony of M.A. Qureshi's book "Nasl Nau Aur Iqbal". Speaking on this occasion, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman emphasized the need for character building of the new generation in the light of Allama Iqbal's thoughts and ideas. He said that poet Allama Iqbal is our great asset and his poetry is widely read and appreciated in Iran, Germany and Turkey. On this occasion, Brigadier Retired Dr. Waheed-ul-Zaman Tariq, Uzma Zareen, MA Hijazi Waheed Khawaja, Pir Tariq Sharifzada, Manshah Qazi and Azam Munir were also present.