Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Industries, Production, and National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the need for focusing on skills education and vocational training, in addition to promoting higher education, to achieve economic development and social prosperity in the country.
Addressing a ceremony held to unveil commemorative postage stamps marking the golden jubilee of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), the minister stated that alongside higher education, skill training would enable graduating students to secure dignified employment upon completion of their education.
Minister Hussain also called for integrating 2.5 million out-of-school children into the educational network to cultivate their productivity as citizens of the country, stressing that education is crucial for economic growth and social prosperity.
He commended AIOU’s role in advancing the education sector in Pakistan and reiterated the commitment to providing all necessary resources for promoting quality education.
Speaking at the event, Dr Nasir Mahmood highlighted the university’s golden jubilee celebration, emphasizing the significance of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s contribution in establishing AIOU as a national asset.
Dr. Nasir mentioned the recent declaration of an education emergency by the prime minister and underscored the university’s potential role in this national initiative.
He outlined a plan involving 200,000 registered teachers with AIOU nationwide, each responsible for a group of 30 children, aiming to educate 5 million children over the next five years.
During the ceremony, Director General Pakistan Post Samiullah Khan and Additional Director General Rizwan Javed Hashmi noted the fruitful collaboration between AIOU and Pakistan Post, sharing a common vision and mission.
They highlighted the joyous occasion of the university’s 50th anniversary and announced the issuance of 100,000 special stamps, available at all major post offices across the country.
