The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have launched an initiative to boost up the higher education system in Pakistan.
Through USAID, The United States Government is cooperating with the Pakistani government to launch a $19 million, five-year program to strengthen Pakistan’s higher education system and enhance the employability of university graduates.
The program titled ‘Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA),’ was launched at a high-profile event joined by USAID Mission Director Julie A. Koenen and Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Tariq Banuri along with among other members.
This proves to be another example of the breadth of collaboration between the United States and Pakistan as we mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
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The initiative will integrate the best and finest practices in teaching, governance, research, and sustainability to provide benefit to 15 public Pakistani universities all over the country which include five women’s universities also.
Under this program, universities will offer students research opportunities, soft-skills teaching, and support services like career counseling. Through cooperation with industry, the initiative will help align academic preparation with workforce needs.
“USAID is proud to collaborate with the Higher Education Commission on this program,” according to USAID Mission Director.
“The Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) will build stronger Pakistani universities that offer the education and research experiences students need to be more employable in the local market. This will prepare talented young people with the required skills to find jobs and launch their careers. It will also support the needs of industry, increase hiring and productivity, and stimulate further economic growth.”
While addressing the occasion, HEC Chairman stated, “HESSA is an innovative initiative expected to make notable contributions towards improving the institutional and technical capacities of its partner universities which shall impact the quality of our future scholars. I am confident that the nexus of U.S. universities with HESSA-partner higher education institutions will result in policy reforms that will benefit all universities in Pakistan.”
