Providing quality education to the underprivileged in the society is necessary for reducing poverty, among other challenges facing the country, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said Tuesday.
The vice chancellor was addressing students who have won scholarships from the Professional Education Foundation.
The organisation had given 20 scholarships last year and has granted 20 this year.
The function was arranged by the Directorate of Financial Assistance.
Khan said 25 per cent of UAF students were receiving financial assistance. He said the secret of development was in quality education and trained manpower. He said the UAF was making an effort to ensure quality education by providing modern facilities.
He also expressed concerns that the country’s literacy rate was only 58 per cent, much lower than developed nations.
He praised the government for initiating reforms for the education sector. He said the Punjab government had set up an Educational Endowment Fund, Danish Schools and distributed laptops and solar lamps among deserving students.
“Trained and educated manpower will guarantee a bright future. The initiative will help uplift the economy and alleviate poverty”, the vice chancellor said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2014.