ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai on Monday said the 2017 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan and hoped to further extend this friendship and to promote and strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries. He was speaking at an exhibition, “Japanese Traditional Art & Dolls Display” here at his official residence. The Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Foundation Trust organised the exhibition. In his brief address, he said this small exhibition introduced Japan’s traditional woodblock prints which were uniquely developed in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). This exhibition also featured the display of representative dolls which have been a part of everyday life in Japan since ancient times. Ambassador Takashi Kurai in his welcome remarks while appreciating the works of artist Saba Hussain said the exhibition aims to introduce the traditional Japanese woodblock prints and traditional Japanese dolls to the Pakistani people. Kurai stated that woodblock printing in Japan started during Aska Period (593-710) to mainly introduce and spread Buddhism text and painting. However Japanese woodblock printing flourished and developed into art and amusement form during the Edo period in early seventeenth century (1603-1868), and today this printing technique is used all over the world. He also pointed out the difference between the western woodblock printing and Japanese one that western one uses oil-based ink and Japanese one uses water-based ink which give different impression of the end product. HEC: Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Muhammad Balighur Rehman on Monday informed the Senate that an amount of Rs 91 billion would be released for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) during current year. Speaking on motion to discuss the performance of the HEC, the minister said that quality education cells had been established in all the major universities of the country. He said that several other steps had been taken to improve the quality of higher education including universities ranking competition, tenure track system, teachers awards of all public sector universities, regular teachers/faculty training etc. He said that provinces could also release funds for universities’ functioning in the provinces to enhance facilities. He added the federal government was playing its role and ensuring provision of funds to the HEC for the smooth functioning of public sector universities. He said that the HEC had an important role regarding maintaining degree standards. Mover of the motion, Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati said that more investment was required in higher education in the county. He said that the nation cannot move forward without achieving success in higher education. Senator Mir Kabeer urged for involving students of Balochistan and removing hurdles of these students in scholarships. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said that to meet the challenges in the present era, more focus should be paid to the higher education commission. Senator Nauman Wazir and Senator Usman Kakar said that role of the HEC should be enhanced and the students of Balochistan should be encouraged by announcing more scholarships for them. Nehal Hashmi, Rehman Malik, Taj Haider and Attique Sheikh also spoke on the motion. Parwan ka Karawaan: The Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training in collaboration with Parwaan is organising a project Parwaan Preschool, A School Readiness Programme “Parwaan Ka Karawaan” here on February 23. The main purpose of the event is to showcase Parwaan’s innovative Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, “Parwaan Preschool-A School Readiness Programme”, said a press release here on Monday. The special features of the event is a panel discussion on “Commitments and Innovations in ECCE Pakistan – Need of the Hour” to be chaired by Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engr. Muhammad Balighur- Rehman and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Murriyum Aurangzeb will chair the panel discussion. Parwaan serves as the national apex body mobilising federal as well as the provincial governments to follow and implement Sustainable Development Goal by 2030 ensure that all the girls and boys had access to quality early childhood development care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education’.