ISLAMABAD: Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday emphasized the importance of education diplomacy as a key tool for international engagement, advocating for sustained academic partnerships with the University of London. Speaking at a reception for a delegation from the university, he underscored the need for deeper cooperation to address Pakistan’s educational challenges and prepare its youth for global competition.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Gilani highlighted the significance of the University of London in fostering a bridge of knowledge and partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. He praised the university’s global contributions and noted that many prominent Pakistanis, who are alumni, have excelled in various fields such as public service, law, and medicine. This shared academic heritage, he added, serves as a foundation for expanding bilateral educational cooperation.
Gilani discussed the structural challenges faced by Pakistan’s education sector, including out-of-school children and gender disparities. He mentioned the government’s national education emergency initiative and the National Education Policy Development Framework 2024, aimed at reforming the sector. Emphasizing the impact of climate-related disasters, he called for resilient education systems to address these issues.
As acting president, Gilani reiterated his commitment to education as a national priority, highlighting initiatives like the establishment of new institutions and legislative efforts to secure funding and reforms. He stressed the importance of technology and international partnerships in preparing for the digital economy, citing Pakistan’s AI Policy 2025 and Digital Sector Roadmap 2025-2035.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and University of London Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Phil Allmendinger also addressed the reception, commending the long-standing association between Pakistan and the university. Allmendinger announced upcoming visits to major Pakistani cities and a special scholarship initiative for Pakistani students.
The event concluded with remarks from other distinguished speakers, including Justice Ayesha A. Malik and MNA Ali Muhammad Khan, who emphasized the responsibilities of alumni and the need for expanded scholarship support to ensure access to quality education.