Pak, US joint efforts for promoting education lauded
By Bushra Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD—Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman lauded Pak-US joint efforts in elevating education sector. He was addressing the participants of “Rais Ahmad Khan Memorial American Studies Conference” organised by Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America here today.
“Pak-US relations were strengthened in the last 6-7 years as both the countries mutually have done alot for the uplift of education sector to ensure the socio economic development and poverty alleviation”, Dr Atta said. Recently, America has extended cooperation in tele medicine field and also worked for the provision of medicines in earth quake affected areas he said adding it would further expand it to make it accessible in the remote areas.
Both countries have decided to establish a major project to promote Advance Sciences while a handsome amount was also allocated to promote material sciences by the joint efforts, he said.
Highlighting the initiatives taken by HEC in fostering education he said the commission had launched several programmes with generous cooperation of the present government with a view to bring the country at par with developed countries in terms of socio-economic development. CEO and President LMKR, Mr. Atif Rais paying tribute to the services rendered by Dr. Rais in the field of education he said Dr. Rais was a dedicated and committed figure. All educationists take him in high esteem and recall him with nostalgia.
Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University Prof. Qasim Jan said “American Studies Centre has really helped the communities in learning the linguistic and cultural background of foreign countries and the whole credit for this goes to Dr Rais Ahmad”.
He further said the objective of organizing this conference was to generate considerable interest among academics, policy-makers and students regarding American studies.While students of literature would get an opportunity to meet and hear scholars speak about different themes and trends of American literature.
He thanked US Embassy and Canadian High Commissioner for sponsoring this programme.
A presentation on the life time achievements of Dr. Rais was given on the occasion by Mr. Atif Rais and Prof Sharif-ul-Mujahid.
The three-day conference was dedicated to Dr. Rais Ahmad Khan, the founder Director of the Centre who died last year.