ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet through circulation of summary has granted its approval to the signing of an agreement on establishment and operation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) University in the country.
According to sources, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has sought the federal cabinet’s approval on a draft agreement among member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on the establishment and operation of the SCO University. And the cabinet through circulation of summary has granted its approval in this regard.
“The Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training has authorized the submission of the summary to the Cabinet,” said sources.
It was proposed that the Cabinet, in terms of Rule 16 (1) (h) of the Rules of Business 1973, may accord approval to the signing of Agreement on establishment and operation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization University,” sources added.
As per details, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, in a summary, informed the cabinet that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared an agreement on establishment and operation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) University with an objective of joint training of high-level professionals in specific areas and disciplines that meet the demands of economic and social development of Parties to the SCO Agreement. And, the Law and Justice Division has cleared the Agreement from a legal point of view.
As per sources, the spirit for the establishment of SCO University is drawn from the SCO Inter-Governmental Agreement on Educational Cooperation signed on 15th June, 2006. SCO University will be an online consortium composed of higher educational institutions of Parties to the Agreement. It will aim at actualizing the objectives of the SCO Agreement through carrying out joint training schemes and undertaking academic scientific and technological cooperation. Member Higher Educational Institutions will be identified by decisions of the meeting of Educational Ministers of the SCO Member States. These member institutions will join the SCO University by signing and complying with the SCO University Charter. Member Institutions will, however, retain their independent status and legal entity according to laws of their respective countries, said sources.
They added that this agreement is expected to strengthen educational cooperation and promote mutual understanding and respect among the member states of the SCO.
