Enhancing education, empowering talent: Safeguarding Pakistan’s tomorrow

Professor Muhammad Sarwar

Recent events in Kyrgyzstan involving international students shed light on the formidable challenges Pakistani students encounter when pursuing education abroad, especially in developing country like Kyrgyzstan. Shockingly, local students in Kyrgyzstan perpetrated acts of violence against their international counterparts, subjecting them to brutal group attacks. Social media images depicted the Pakistani students, among others, enduring treatment more befitting of animals than human beings. This underscores the urgent imperative for Pakistan to overhaul its higher education policies. Without a restoration of political and financial stability and the rule of law in Pakistan, the mass exodus of our exceptionally talented students appears unstoppable. Persisting in this trajectory would cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of our youth. Revamping our education system stands as a pivotal measure in retaining our talent pool and charting a path towards a prosperous future for Pakistan. However, numerous challenges plague our higher education landscape:

1. Accessibility constraints: Despite a burgeoning population, access to higher education remains severely restricted in Pakistan. This stark disparity between demand and availability of university slots propels students to seek admission in foreign institutions with lower entry standards.
2. Regulatory hurdles: Stringent government regulations on establishing new private universities stifle the growth of higher education. These constraints not only curtail institutional expansion but also impede innovation and the potential contributions of private entities to educational advancement. Relaxing these stringent regulations is imperative to broaden access to higher education, thereby reducing the necessity for students to seek opportunities abroad.
3. Deteriorating educational quality: Public sector universities in Pakistan grapple with a steady decline in educational standards. Challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of accountability, bureaucratic inefficiencies and rampant nepotism contribute to a deteriorating academic environment. Consequently, private sector institutions, despite regulatory obstacles, become more appealing to students seeking quality education.
4. Disparity in government support: Government support and incentives predominantly favor public universities, leaving private institutions at a disadvantage. This unequal treatment creates an imbalanced playing field and dissuades potential investors from establishing new private universities.
5. Faculty quality: The faculty selection process in public sector universities often deviates from established guidelines, promoting nepotism and favoritism over meritocracy. This compromises the quality of education and research, hindering academic progression. Implementing transparent and merit-based faculty selection procedures is imperative to foster innovation and elevate educational standards.
6. Nepotism and biases: Nepotism and other forms of biases plague many public sector universities, undermining educational integrity and effectiveness. Addressing these systemic issues through legislative measures is essential to restore credibility and excellence within higher education institutions.

Recommendations:

1. Regulatory reforms: The government should streamline regulations governing the establishment of private universities, fostering a more conducive environment for higher education expansion. Establishing an independent regulatory body to oversee institutional quality and growth can catalyze significant improvements in higher education.
2. Public-private collaborations: Encouraging partnerships between public and private institutions can enhance educational quality and accessibility. These collaborations facilitate resource sharing, innovation and overall improvement in academic standards.
3. Enhanced governance: Strengthening governance mechanisms within public universities through transparent funding allocations and performance-based incentives is paramount. Adopting efficient management practices observed in private institutions can optimize resource utilization and enhance institutional efficiency.
4. Equitable incentive provision: The government must ensure equal distribution of incentives and funding to both public and private institutions, fostering a level playing field and balanced development of the higher education sector.
5. Infrastructure investment: Substantial investments in infrastructure are essential for both public and private institutions to thrive. The government should allocate funds equitably based on performance and developmental needs.
6. Faculty development: Equal opportunities for faculty development should be extended to both public and private sectors. Government support through grants, subsidies and low-interest loans can facilitate the enhancement of faculty capabilities.
7. Performance-based funding: Allocating funding to institutions based on their contributions in terms of graduates and research output promotes competition and drives excellence in higher education.
8. Drawing insights from developed nations: The experiences of developed countries like the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia offer valuable lessons on the benefits of supporting private sector involvement in higher education. These nations have successfully fostered competitive educational ecosystems through policies that encourage collaboration between public and private institutions.