Pakistan and Austria are partnering up to develop a technology institution in Pakistan
Pakistan and Austria are collaborating to develop the Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences & Technology (PAF-IAST) at the University of Haripur in Pakistan.
The announcement was made as higher education commissions of both countries after a meeting.
During the meeting with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri, Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Brigitta Blaha announced that there was a joint venture in the works between the higher education sectors of two countries called Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences & Technology (PAF-IAST).
The institute is being established in University of Haripur in collaboration with several Austrian institutions. She explained that Institute has dual objectives; creating a high quality technical education infrastructure at a tertiary level and creating high technology industry.
HEC Chairman Dr Banuri, stressed the need for international collaboration in the education sector. He emphasized on its role as a stepping stone toward economic stability and social development.
He said that several Pakistani higher education institutions have an encouraging history of academic collaboration with Higher Education Sector in Austria and assured that Pakistan and HEC would create further opportunities for beneficial academic collaboration between two countries.
Dr Brigitta Blaha assured that her office will extend its cooperation in strengthening academic and research linkages between the two countries. According to Dr Blaha, currently, 41 Pakistani students are pursuing PhD degree in Austrian institutions. She emphasized that there is a need to enhance this number.
The institute will be aimed at providing following two things:
- High-quality technical education at the grass-root level.
- Creating a high tech industry.