Translating dreams into reality

PESHAWAR, Aug 28, 2013: Equipping himself with the best available knowledge of electrical engineering is a long-cherished dream of Yawar Tariq. He believes he can translatethis dream into reality by securing a bachelor degree in technology-B.Tech. Yawar Tariq is a student of Peshawar Institute of Technology (PIT), who topped the Diploma in Associate Engineering (DAE) examination 2013, conducted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Technical Education (KPBTE).

At the award distribution ceremony for the position holders held at a local hotel in Peshawar on August 28, like Yawar all the other position-holders appeared to be committed to opting for higher studies instead of joining a job at this point of time.

Most of them seemed to be inclined towards getting higher education in in B.Tech and B.Sc Engineering. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Technical Educationorganized the ceremony with the support of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform Support Programme, which is co-fuded by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Federal Republic of Germany and being implemented by the GIZ in Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Sikandar Hayat Sherpaowas the chief guest on the occasion, while a number of lawmakers from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, students, TVET providers and parents also turned up to the ceremony. Apart from handing over awards and prizes to the toppers, the senior minister also officially launched the new website of KPBTE, which was developed with the assistance of TVET Reform Support Programme.

Of the total eight position holders in the board, seven belong to privately-run colleges of technology.YasirMehmoodis the lone student from public sector institute – Government College of Technology, Swabi– who secured third position in the overall result.

Hailing from Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Yawar’s father Muhammad Tariq, an employee of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), was the main source of inspiration for him to get properly educated and trained in electrical discipline. Yawar scored 3096 marks out of the total 3550 and secured the overall top position.

Likewise, Hussain Ahmad, who topped the Civil Technology course, is also committed to do B.Tech. Born in a remote Martung area of underdeveloped Shangla district, Hussain studied at Buner Polytechnic Institute, Sawari. Topper of the Telecommunication Technology course, Iftikhar Ahmad, a resident of Lower Dir district and a student of Chakdara Institute of Technology, too wants to make his future in B.Tech. The students, though, seemed to be in high spirits to pursue higher studies in technical education, the grim picture of job opportunities for the technically-trained studentsis a bit disappointing for them.

The provincial government, said SikandarSherpao while addressing the ceremony,is making an allout effort to promote technical education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He counted several initiatives for promotion of technical education. “Promotion of technical education is the most urgent need of the hour for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has been badly affected by the worst wave of militancy during the last several years,” he said.

The provincial minister believes that technical education will not only help the province overcome the sorry state of joblessness, but will also go a long way in earning foreign exchange. He, however, openheartedly admitted that the government had been unable to take drastic steps for the development of the public sector institutes of technical education. “This is evident from the fact that only one student from the government-run colleges turned up at the ceremony to receive award for the third position,” he remarked.

Principal of the Government College of Technology, Swabi, Sher Akbar is, though, happy over the success of the student of his institute who secured third position in Refrigeration and Conditioning Technology course, he also complains about lack of facilities in his college. “We don’t have proper building for several classes. The number of teachers is also not sufficient to meet the requirements [of providing quality education to the students]. [To make up this deficiency] We hire private teachers on temporary basis to keep things going,” he remarks.

PKBTE Chairman Nasir Ali Mohammadzaiappreciated the support from TVET Reform Support Programme for arranging the event and undertaking different capacity building measures for the board officials

Mr. Muhammadzaialso highlighted the steps taken by the board authorities for improvement and enhancement of their activities. “Establishment of sub-campus in Abbottabad, reforms in papers and examination systems are some notable measures taken by the board,” he said.

In his presentation, SohaibTanoli, Liaison Officer TVET Reform Support Programme for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa threw light on the current situation of technical education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He focused his presentation on the statistical data pertaining to technical education and highlighted some impediments in promotion of technical education.