Higher education budget needs to be increased: minister.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar on Friday stressed the need for enhancing higher education budget particularly the development budget.

Speaking as chief guest at the concluding session of the two-day: 'Thought Leaders Summit 2020' organised by the British Council, he said the government was committed to investing in Pakistan's huge demographic dividends, which would not only generate opportunities in the job market and revenues but put the country on path of development and prosperity.

The event was attended by researchers, members from higher education besides experts from information technology industry.

The minister spoke on a variety of subjects ranging from creative economy to higher education, digital economy, equality, inclusivity and enabling environment and reiterated his government's resolve to turning challenges into opportunities.

He appreciated the work done by the British Council's Research Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (REMU).

Although the development part of higher education is registering considerable raise yet it needs to be increased and the government was well aware of it.

Hammad Azhar said the government would ensure uniform curriculum at school level by next year. 'Unless we give our youth a level playing field, we cannot expect to utilize their potential in maximum way,' he said.

Sharing his vision of job creation for the youth, Hammad Azhar said Pakistan could garner huge benefit from its demographic dividends. Other countries like India, Indonesia, Japan, and China have taken advantage...