Sayed Sajid Shah Bokhari
There are around 244 universities in Pakistan. The higher education commission of Pakistan has approved 99 private universities to the remaining 145 universities working in public sector. All these universities had established through government ordinance and according to the requirement of UGC. Unfortunately majority of our universities go against the international standards required, for sustainable growth. It is unfortunate that a large no of our universities are in decline, confusion and disorder status.
In most of the reputed universities like Gomal University D.I.Khan, Islamia University Bahwalpur and so many other universities poor performance, human exploitation, Drugs addiction,bawdry,bareness, women harassment and financial crisis could be seen which is a clear evidence of Mismanagement and incapability our the Management. Although the measurement of universities in ranking includes Land specified for the university, facilities given to the students, students’ ratio, Academic excellence, staff and its reputation with experiences, attitude, and research methodology.
There are in total 13 performance indicators to be followed in international ranking system strictly. In most cases we can find universities at in collision form because of the political interference and nepotism. Each university should be pride of excellence, virtue, disciplined and treasure of knowledge. Our universities (except few ) unfortunately, became famed for sexual video links, harassment and plagiarism. As a result of worst, illegal, corrupt and unethical practices we lost the credibility in international scenario.
Few days ago I found detailed report circulating in print media about the future of Shangla University. The district Shangla being poor on HDI got Shangla Campus of Swat University in 2015, after a long struggle. The existence of this university however, fell in to doubt, confusion with its dual name like Shangla University or swat university. Few weeks ago when swat university, arranged a function on the theme of Open Day it raised many question about its performance sustainability and existence. Who can deny a fact that university needs a talented, powerful and visionary leader (vice chancellor) registrar and controller of examination but Shangla university lacks these positions.
The poor administration had always saved their jobs and could not attract a highly qualified, experienced and motivated staff since its inception. The withdrawal of PC-1 money of Rs.307 Million was another blow to convert the status of university to campus. Although the Shangla University attracted a large number of students (702) including huge number of girls from the surroundings.
The world has recognized that Education is international subject and to follow the international standards needs comprehensive planning (budget, community involvement and motivation of students and recruitment of staff through transparent mechanism) should have in criteria from the very beginning. What the world has got in centuries can be converted to a newly established, institution if experiences could have been shared. Whenever the world ranking of universities issued a report we can find our universities at the bottom level always.
The reason of our decline in education system lies in its traditional way, and stereotype education which is in moldiness shape now. If we cannot find a single university, amongst the 400 universities in the world ranking we should be ashamed for it. The most addlement situation is that we never follow the standards and never compete with the world in science and technology. Innovation in education has brought the world to accelerate, modify education in modalities with sustainability.
Just imagine still there are universities in Pakistan where bad practices of molesting the girl’s students are in progress. In how many universities the status, reputation of teachers had ruined and damaged their value. If the purpose of education is the preparation of learners for the future and enhancement of their skills then we should think about it.
In fact there is need of discussion and planning between the stake holders to develop a system for it. The world best universities could be found on permanent basis for doing research and not established for salaries only. Then hiring of the high profile faculty members with distinction shall be preferred. The land and purposeful building with ground, laboratory, library are the other requirements.
Although education is constitutional right of all the citizen without any discrimination and Article 25-A of our constitution provide guarantee to everyone. If the Oxford University is still on the top of ranking then we should identify the secret of its success and must follow it. Look that amongst 34 universities in KPK, only 27 universities spend half of its budget on paying salaries and the allocation of 1 billion for research.
Look in to another aspect that the numbers of scholars to get admission in P.HDs and M.Phill is decreasing day by day. It is really interesting and astonishing that in the last three years in 11 universities no one has got admission in higher education. In 6 universities of KP no one has got admission in M.S or M.Phill even.
In the analytical report issued by Governor Inspection team for the year 2021-2024 shows figures that in women university Swabi no student was admitted in Graduate programe, while no one got admission in the women university Mardan in the Graduate program in the last 3 years. The time ranking institute has issued the 2024 ranking of universities worldwide.
Unfortunately there is not a single university of Pakistan in the initial list of 400.The only university from Pakistan Quid I Azam University Islamabad has secured 401 position amongst 500 universities in the ranking. In the further ranking between 600 to 1000 there are 14 universities ranked with distinction but still there is not a single university to be found in the list from the province of Sindh and Balochistan.
In the list of 400 best universities there could be found 2 universities from Saudia Arabia,2 from Iran,3 from Turkey and 2 from India.In the list of ranking between 600 to 800 Abdul Wai Khan University Mardan, Air University, Capital University, COMSATES University, UET Taxila, Government College University Faisalabad, National University of Science and Technology are included.
Just imagine Columbia University has developed an artificial tree that passively soaks up carbon dioxide from the air using leaves that are 1000 times more efficient than true leaves that use photosynthesis. The recommendation of Shangla University from the list by Governor Inspection team merely on budget issue is not justice.
The people of Shangla needs the attention of Governor KPK, Higher education commission not to deprive people from the basic right of education rather to provide them facility and complete codal formality for sustainable growth and development of the area.
