Minister Emphasizes Skills Education for Economic Growth at AIOU Golden Jubilee

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Industries, Production, and National Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, stressed the importance of prioritizing skills education and vocational training, alongside promoting higher education, to achieve economic development and social prosperity in the country.

During a ceremony unveiling commemorative postage stamps for the golden jubilee of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), the minister stated that skill training, in addition to higher education, would help graduating students secure respectable employment upon completing their education.“Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and HEC Chairman discuss youth development initiatives in Pakistan”

Minister Hussain also emphasized the need to integrate 2.5 million out-of-school children into the educational system to enhance their productivity as citizens, underlining the critical role of education in driving economic growth and social prosperity.

He praised AIOU’s contributions to the education sector in Pakistan and reaffirmed the commitment to providing all necessary resources for promoting quality education.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nasir Mahmood highlighted the significance of AIOU’s golden jubilee celebration and acknowledged Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s pivotal role in establishing AIOU as a national asset.

Dr. Nasir also mentioned the recent declaration of an education emergency by the Prime Minister and highlighted the university’s potential role in this national initiative. He outlined a plan involving 200,000 registered teachers with AIOU nationwide, each responsible for educating a group of 30 children, with the goal of educating 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 successful collaboration between AIOU and Pakistan Post, sharing a common vision and mission.

They celebrated 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.