JAMSHORO: The British Council and University of Sindh have jointly hosted photography exhibition at SU’s Institute of Art and Design to celebrate 70 years of friendship between Pakistan and United Kingdom.
The Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Steve Crossman, British Council Director for Sindh and Balochistan, Christopher Hunt, Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani and Vice Chancellor of University Prof Dr Fatah Muhammad Burfat jointly inaugurated the exhibition.
Steve Crossman said that 2017 was a historic year as both the countries were celebrating 70 years of friendship and adding that they were delighted to bring their photography exhibition to Jamshoro after hosting same in London, Lahore and Peshawar.
“The photographs that are displayed in this exhibition showcase our cooperation in trade, sports, politics, development, defence, education, infrastructure and culture over the last 70 years and look towards deepening our friendship over the next 70 years”, he said.
Education plays an important role in both countries’ friendship and Pakistan was recipient of the biggest Department for International Development (DFID) education programme in the world, he added.
The diplomat said that many Sindhi scholars have won Chevening Scholarships to study in United Kingdom while these scholarships have served deepening understanding between two countries.
“The application scheme is underway now for 2018-19 intake; and students of SU must apply”, he maintained.
He announced launching a debate competition for students on national level in next month in Karachi.
“We encourage students of Sindh University to participate in said competition”, he said.
Christopher Hunt said British Council first started its work in Karachi in 1947 and it had been working in Pakistan ever since.
“Today, we work in all provinces of Pakistan and engage with millions of Pakistanis every year”, he maintained.
He said Council had helped nearly 45,000 boys and girls enroll and stay in schools in Sindh over past two years adding that they had supported tens of thousands of students in Sindh who gained international recognition.
British Council will continue to create opportunities for people; helping Pakistanis to get benefit from UK’s skills and experience whilst supporting people in Pakistan sharing their expertise with United Kingdom, he said.
Agha Siraj Durrani said that British government had started a number of development projects in Sindh but it had yet to do more to help steer province to path of progress.
Referring mega projects completed almost a century ago, he said Sukkur Barrage, railways networks in Pakistan and many other projects were the gifts of British adding that like past, present team of British Council was competent which was doing development works in province in befitting manner.
“We expect more from British government for development and progress of the province”, he said.
The dream of prosperous Sindh could not come true unless quality education was imparted.
Published in Daily Times, September 27th 2017.
