News
Prof Atta says digital divide is the knowledge divide in today’s word
ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 : 'In today's world the digital divide is the knowledge divide,' this was stated by Prof Dr.Atta ur Rahman, Federal Minister, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Science & Technology while addressing to the 4th Convocation of the International Islamic University, Islamabad held here Sunday at Convention Center, Islamabad as Guest of Honour.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman said that today's world is different from the world a few decades ago, where to march ahead country's were investing in knowledge economy instead of relying on their wealth of natural resources.
Success stories included Jordan and Malaysia who having realized that the youth were their wealth are investing in education to ensure that they are not relegated to poor and dependent nations. Malaysia, he continued invests 25 per cent of its GDP in education.
Prof. Atta outlined eloquently the manner in which Pakistan too was set on the path to development. He emphasized the difference between college and university where the former transfers knowledge from teacher to student while a university creates knowledge, being a seat of creativity. Universities, he continued are always ranked on their impact factor, which included, journals that published new discoveries, Ph.D research which presented new concepts and award of international prizes and grants that the university was able to achieve.
He further stated that the factors also stressed that universities should act as pools of creativity and he called on the faculty to ignite and inspire students not only to work for degrees but enjoy acquiring knowledge and apply it in their lives. This he said, was the true spirit and essence of Islam whose application could rid Muslim society of the problems that afflict it.
He reminded the audience that not a single Pakistani university ranked in the first thousand universities of the world. But the Higher Education Commission was endeavouring to change the hither to pathetic state of higher education by offering fully funded scholarships to students to study abroad. The real change, he said would be felt when in a couple of years after completing their doctorates, these students would begin returning home to enrich our universities with their newly acquired training and skills.
He advised students never to compromise their integrity and always have the courage to speak up against wrong doing, discover their potential and follow the path of knowledge.
Earlier Dr. Mahamood Ahmad Ghazi, President, International Islamic University, Islamabad in his welcome address termed Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Sir Syed of the 21st century and a visionary who had brought a paradigm shift in the higher education policies for Muslim Ummah.Dr. Ghazi further stated that after a quarter of century of existence the University was intent on improving its quality and quantity. Their emphasis remained on teaching, training and research and work was underway to diversify the scope of work. Specialized disciplines were being introduced but within constraints of limited resources.
Dr. Abdul Khaliq Kazi, Vice President, (Academics) presented the University's academic report and shed light on the plan to set up Faculty of Mass Media and Communication, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and faculties of Engineering and Technology and Home Economics within this academic year.
Over 950 students were awarded Bachelors and Masters degrees with 38 students bagging gold medals in various disciplines. Mr. Muhammad Mustafa and Mr. Abduallah were awarded PhD degrees in Shariah while Mr. Muhammad Yousaf was awarded MPhil degree in Economics.