Islamabad - Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan Jan Fury on Thursday visited Higher Education Commission (HEC) and met Prof. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed welcomed the Ambassador and presented an overview of HEC’s initiatives and achievements during last 13 years, said press release issued here on Thursday.

He explained how government is commitment to develop higher education and a considerable increase in funding has brought remarkable changes in the sector. The Chairman emphasized that the primary focus of HEC has remained development of human resource in all disciplines and providing ample opportunities to faculty, research scholars and students to harness their potential.

The Ambassador appreciated the achievements of HEC in the fields of research, HRD, and development of IT facilities for higher education across the country, and termed it a role model for the developing countries.

He expressed his desire to collaborate with Pakistan in the higher education sector, and create a suitable environment for institution-to-institution links.

The envoy informed the Chairman that Pakistani literature had been translated into Czech language though Czech literature had yet to be translated into Urdu.

Dr Mukhtar appreciated their interest in Urdu literature and proposed establishment of an Urdu Chair at one of the Czech universities.

It was decided that a group of vice chancellors from Pakistan will visit Czech Republic later this year that will be reciprocated by a similar group from the other side.

The purpose of these visits will be to explore possibilities for different progrmmes like faculty and student exchange, joint research in areas of mutual interest, etc.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed offered full cooperation in execution of these programmes. The Ambassador hoped that cooperation in the field of higher education will play a key role in bringing the governments and peoples of the two countries closer to each other.