Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir
Allocation of low percentage of the GDP is portrayed as one of the core reason against the decline of education and especially tertiary education in Pakistan. It is true that Pakistan expenditure on education as percentage to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained less than 2% since several years which seems the lowest percentage in the region and our neighbouring countries are even expending more(between 3 to 4 %) on education as percentage to GDP.
However, you will know if you see the other side of the picture that our institutions and their stakeholders (HEC, PHEC’s VC’s, teaching faculty etc.) always tries their best to take the HEI’s in the global competition even getting less percentage of the GDP. Afghanistan expenditure on education as percentage to GDP is more than 4% with less than 40% literacy rate. Nepal is expending near about 4% on education with 70% literacy rate.
Nigeria expenditure on education is more than 5% with 60% literacy rate. It is pertinent to mention that Nigeria standing is high regarding its total GDP that is approximately USD 390 billion compare to Pakistan(USD 340 billion), with high per capita income of USD 1755 compare to Pakistan(USD 1597 approx.). The abovementioned figures are just a sample which depicts that Pakistan is contributing better in spite of less spending.
The QS global ranking of the universities(2023) also present a positive picture of HEI’s of Pakistan with 14 universities among top one thousands universities of the world compare to Nigeria with zero figure which means that no Nigerian university falls under 1000 category in QS world ranking. Iran whose expenditure on education is more than 3% falls below with 10 universities in world QS ranking 2023.
Same is the case of Afghanistan which is nowhere to be seen among top one thousands universities of the world. Only four universities of Bangladesh falls under 1000 category in QS world ranking. South Africa which spends more than 6% on education is even stands below with only nine universities among 1000 category of QS world ranking.
If we look in the Middle East like Oman, Kuwait, Qatar etc., which are standing high on Human Development Index(HDI), literacy rate, Per capita Income etc. and expending more on education falls below to Pakistan regarding ranking of their tertiary institutions. Kuwait expenditure on education is more than 6 % with more than USD 32,000(approx.) per capita income and stands on No: 50 on HDI, has no university among 500 category of QS world ranking.
Likewise, Oman expenditure on education is more than 5 % with more than USD 21,000(approx.) per capita income and stands on No: 54 on HDI has only one university (Sultan Qaboos University) among 500 category of QS world ranking. Sultan Qaboos University is a public university which is situated in Muscat, the capital of Oman and the third oldest university of the Country. The university is ranked at No: 384 in the world’s top QS ranking during year 2023.
If we look at Quaid e Azam University in contrast to Sultan Qaboos University, which is situated also in the capital and 4th oldest university of the Country, our university is ranked at No: 363 in world QS ranking. It is once again pertinent to mention that sultan Qaboos University has been ranked low in 2024 from 384 to 454. Whereas, Quaid e Azam University has been granted high rank in 2024 from 363 to 315 in world top university’s ranking.
The credit indeed, goes to the management and their team and I have no hesitation to especially commend and appreciate the ex-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali and the incumbent VC, Prof. Dr. Niaz Akhtar for making the history by their administrative and professional skills. They both proceeded with sincere intention of “Delivery with Dedication” and contributed towards a better Pakistan. Same is the case of NUST and LUMS which is contributing better in spite of low income & allocation.
I think we have become more accustomed to objectification rather encouragement. There are of course, hurdles & hitches as well as contributory negligence & nonsense attitude prevails on the level of state & society, but it’s not mean to become hopeless or represent/ propagate a dark and one sided picture of the state & society. We are much better as compared to several other states of the world in regards to intelligence & education, professionalism & proficiency.
Eleanor Roosevelt rightly said that “It is better to candle a light than curse the darkness” and I must request to all critics to please pay attention to the words of Frank A. Clark “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots”. Also, I would like to make humble request to our champs & champions for remembering the words of Jonathan Galassi “Be patient, work hard and consistently, have faith in your writing, and don’t be afraid to listen to constructive criticism”.
