On Sunday, 8 October 2023, Ambassador Azhar held meeting with Dr. Muhammad Wajid, Vice Chancelor, University of Okara. Others present were Professor Dr. Muhammad Hamid Lakhvi, Principal, Professor Tauqeer-ul-Haq, Vice Principal, Professor Rashid Yaqub of Postgraduate College of Okara retrospectively. Mrs. Norwati Binti Majudi, Immigration Attaché and Mr. Mohd Sukry Bin Ahmad, Assistant Immigration Attaché - I of and Mr. Naeem Sabir Virk, Translator/Interpreter of the High Commission were also present in the meeting. Both sides held comprehensive discussion in the field of education and joint collaboration between the two brotherly nations.
Dr. Muhammad Wajid briefed His Excellency the High Commissioner on standard of education in Okara. He requested the High Commissioner for the academic support for the talented youth of Okara as well as scholarship in higher studies for the students of Okara in Malaysian universities. It was also pleaded that Okara be declared as the sister city with Malaysian institution.
In his remarks, Ambassador Azhar said that he was honoured to have meeting with the brains of education sector in Okara. He stated that Malaysia paid great attention to education sector. He informed the guests that Malaysia allocated more than 50 percent of its annual budget in education sector. He further said that Malaysia is trying to create a centre of excellence. At the moment, Malaysia currently was hosting over 100,000 foreign students. Malaysia has many foreign universities from all over the world. He mentioned that Pakistan has this potential to develop the education sector for potential students from Central Asia, seeking higher studies.
Ambassador Azhar apprised that Malaysian universities offer international students including Pakistanis based on merit. He revealed that many Pakistani students had received scholarships in Malaysian universities. He cited that Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) for international students. In addition, he stated that Albukhary University was a private non-profit education institution, a fully residential campus with state-of-the-art facilities. The university has an excellent CSR program, providing assistance to the needy students not only to Malaysians but also to foreign students.
The meeting was a success in further promoting Malaysia as the centre of educational excellence to Pakistan in particular to the educationists in Okara.
