Gilani for more Pak-Uzbek cooperation in IT
By Shafek E Koreshe
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan March 25 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday sought a wider Pak-Uzbek collaboration in the Information Technology sector, saying it would help Pakistan implement its upcoming Rs 5 billion program.Gilani who had to stay back in the Uzbek capital, due to bad weather, availed the evening by visiting two IT institutes that are preparing the young generation, learn cutting edge technology to compete with the world.Under the Pakistan’s ambitious Information Technology program, to be announced by Prime Minister Gilani soon, every district would have its own IT educational and training institute, particularly in country’s hitherto neglected and far flung areas. The Prime Minister has pledged an amount of Rs five billion for the program.
The Prime Minister said the future of the world was by keeping abreast with the changes in Information Technology and said in this regard priority was being accorded to the sector and he himself has the portfolio of the ministry.
He also mentioned that a fibre optic link between Pakistan and Uzbekistan would also help enhance connectivity between the two countries.
Gilani accompanied by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited an IT College and a University, working in collaboration with Italy’s Turin University and offers courses in mechanical, electrical, industrial and civil engineering and construction.
He asked the Uzbek Prime Minister for scholarships for the Pakistani students and hoped greater collaboration in the vital sector would strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister, who has always termed health and education as his priorities and is a frequent visitor to Pakistani educational institutes, had an interactive interaction with the young students.
“Do you mind if I sit here,” Gilani asked a young student girl who was designing a logo for an organisation as she and other students made space for him to sit next to them.
Uzbek Prime Minister, who stayed along with Gilani throughout the visit, joined him and both the leaders chatted with the visibly pleased students. One said he would go for digital designing, while the other wanted to be a programmer, when Gilani asked them about their future plans.
The teachers and the principal informed that the college with over 3000 students was imparting training in 14 disciplines. The college houses electronic lab, information resource centre.
A student from Afghanistan said he plans to learn software engineering, and Gilani asked him to create his country’s website to raise his country’s stature.
Gilani and his Uzbek counterpart later visited the Turin Polytechnic University that is working in collaboration with General Motors Uzbekistan, and some other enterprises and organizations.  General Motors Uzbekistan produces over 200,000 vehicles annually.  
The university trains skilled specialists for car industry, machinery and electronics industries, energy, enterprises of industrial and construction sector.
Tashkent is already home to branches of Moscow State University, the I. M. Gubkin University of Oil and Gas in Russia, the G. V. Plekhanov Academy of Economics in Russia, Westminster International University and the Management Development Institute of Singapore.
Gilani went around different sections of the Polytechnic Institute where he was informed that the students learn the basics of all car manufacturing processes.
He was also shown the large sporting facilities at both the institutions of international standard.