LAHORE: (Wednesday, May 29, 2024): Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat has said that the promotion of entrepreneurship is necessary for the empowerment of women and the stability of the country’s economy. He was addressing the 15th post-graduate students' conference organized by Punjab University Institute of Education and Research on the theme of ‘Education for Entrepreneurship’ at Waheed Shaheed Hall. On this occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, IER Director Prof Dr Tariq Mehmood, Conference Secretary Ifat Alvi, senior faculty members, researchers and a large number of students were present. In his address, Rana Sikandar Hayat said that in Bangladesh, India and Malaysia, women were brought forward in every sector to develop the country. He said that students must learn to use technology to promote entrepreneurship. He said that 64% of Pakistan’s population consists of youth, if they are provided with skills along with education; they can take the country far ahead. He said that the Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif is working day and night for the development of youth and women. He said that for the high quality of education in the country, it is necessary to make education free from politics, in the curriculum and in the education system, change should be brought. He said that the IER is the best institution in Pakistan which is providing real teacher leadership to schools. Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that the subject of entrepreneurship has been made compulsory in every department at the undergraduate level in PU and the establishment of Business Incubation Center is also being utilized. He said that we should attract our students towards such education, are trying to do so that they can become job givers rather than job seekers. He said that an entrepreneurship gala was organized in PU last week, in which our students presented new business ideas, besides; the students of the pharmacy department are making their own brand and selling it online. He hoped that government support would continue to provide quality education to the children of Pakistan and the region. Prof Dr Tariq Mehmood said that the purpose of organizing the conference is to enlighten the students about various aspects of research. He said that the ICORE has become a brand. He said that many programs including international conferences have been conducted under the organization of the IER in the last eight months, for which the efforts of the organizers are commendable.