President of Pakistan meets with Leicester academic to pledge support for international initiative

The President of Pakistan has pledged support for the University to promote international collaboration in higher education.

Dr Saeeda Shah, from the School of Education, is co-Director with Professor David Pedder, developing a proposal to submit to the SPHEIR scheme (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform).

This proposal focuses on working in partnership with a large group of universities in Pakistan to improve higher education - the partners also include five women-only universities in Pakistan.

Mr Mamnoon Hussain, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, met with Dr Shah in Karachi where he said: “Improving higher education in Pakistan is my first priority, and the office of the President will make all support available to the University of Leicester efforts in this regard.”

Dr Shah said: “I am in Pakistan to meet the vice chancellors and other senior leaders in the proposed partner universities to finalize partnership details as well as to identify members of the project steering committee, and most importantly to seek support from the President of Pakistan which is very important for any impact on relevant policies and systems.

“I am extremely obliged that the President made time available for this meeting during very busy schedule of his visit to Karachi, and I greatly appreciate his support for the project which will facilitate this partnership work.”