Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education, Archives and Libraries, Meena Khan Afridi, met with the Ambassador of Switzerland, George Steiner, in Islamabad yesterday.
The meeting focused on exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of higher education and research between the two sides.
During the meeting, Meena Khan Afridi highlighted that, according to the 2023 census, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s population stands at approximately 40.6 million, with 65% of its citizens aged between 15 and 30 years. He emphasised that this youth majority represents a historic opportunity for the province, which, if guided in the right direction, could become a source of development, prosperity, and peace.
The provincial minister identified several potential areas of collaboration with Switzerland, including joint degree programs, PhD research under co-supervision, and curriculum development aligned with international standards. He also stressed the importance of exchange programs for students and faculty, training for university administration, and internship opportunities for students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Swiss universities and industries.
Minister Afridi further underscored the significance of joint research in multiple fields, including climate change, energy, agriculture and food security, health, and digital technology. He also called for the introduction of online courses, short-term diplomas, summer schools, and sustainable financial and administrative reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s universities by drawing on the Swiss university governance model.
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Ambassador George Steiner praised the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, stating that the province’s youth majority is a valuable asset that can be steered towards a brighter future through education and research. He added that Switzerland places great importance on partnerships to promote higher education and research globally, and collaboration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s universities could be an integral part of this vision. The ambassador assured that Switzerland is ready to consider practical steps to strengthen linkages between academic and research institutions and will extend full cooperation in this regard.
