Islamabad (Agencies): The Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has advised university students with special needs to sharpen their mental strength which he termed as the ‘key to success’.
The Minister was addressing a ceremony held at HEC Secretariat on Wednesday in connection with the distribution of electric wheelchairs among students under the last phase of the Prime Minister’s Electric Wheelchair for University Students.
As many as 50 students received electric wheelchairs during the ceremony. In the first phase of the scheme, launched in 2017, 206 electric wheelchairs were provided to physically challenged university students, while 159 wheelchairs were handed over to students in the second phase.
Giving an example of the famous scientist, Stephen Hawking, the Minister said that an otherwise healthy person with no use of mental capabilities is worthless, while a physically challenged person who utilises their mind can mark great achievements.
“The future of Pakistan depends on making the right decisions on time, as any wrong decision can put the country’s future at stake,” said the Minister while urging the students to play a constructive role in the country’s growth.
Furthermore, he added that the country’s development gets haunted if there is a lack of patience, perseverance as well as consistency of policies.
Later, the Minister launched HEC’s Research for Innovation (RFI) portal.
Executive Director HEC briefed the Minister on the salient features of the RFI portal and how it will strengthen the linkage between academia, industry, and Government to accelerate the process of commercialising academic research.