Prof. Dr. Arshad Munir,
If I were given the option, I would sell all the educational institutions of the country, especially the universities to the owner of AKHUWAT, UMT & UOL, or at least a two-hour period in schools from class 1 to class 10 would be devoted to begging for economic development and self-reliance for the institutions. If I am given the option, I will only declare the student who is proficient in English and Arabic to be eligible for matriculation certificate, and only those students who have at least six months of experience as an electrician, mechanic, plumber, weaver, painter, carpenter, etc. are eligible for BS certificate. I am not writing all this as a criticism but keeping in mind the country’s economic situation as well as the helplessness and indifference/ apathy of the people concerned/ stakeholders. Pakistanis are unparalleled in generosity. According to a report, they Supports the beggars without any productive output. Therefore, beggars collectively extract a staggering Rs. 32 billion daily. Annually, this amount sums up to Rs. 1.17 trillion, which equates to approximately $42 billion. There are 38 million beggars in Pakistan. Fifty percent of these beggars are in Karachi, 16% in Lahore, 7% in Islamabad, and the rest scattered in other cities. I hope Pakistani will also support the students. If it happens, the schools will be able to get more than $42 billion because the government’s 2021-23 Pakistan Economic Survey estimates that there were 25 million students enrolled in primary education (grades 1-5), approximately 8.75 million in middle education (grades 6-8) and 4.5 million in secondary education (grade 9-10) which equates to approximately 38 million similar to the numbers of beggars. In this way, this sector will also become the most profitable sector of Pakistan, and instead of taking from the government, this sector will become a means of supporting the government.
Akhuwat Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by world famous personality Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib with the support of his civil service colleagues and gamers in 2003 with five major programs that includes Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM), Akhuwat Education Services (AES), Akhuwat Clothes Bank (ACB), Akhuwat Khwajasira Support Program (AKSP), and Akhuwat Health Services (AHS). The underlying goal of all these programs is to provide financial access and support to the poor. Through the Public-School Support Program, Akhuwat has collaborated with the Government of Punjab to restore more than 4,000 non-functioning schools. To date, it has adopted over 350 public primary schools in six districts of Punjab, where it provides quality education and is working on improved academic facilities. It has disbursed amount of Rs: 220 billion as an interest-free loan with 5.4 million beneficiaries all over the country. The success of this foundation within twenty years is indeed a matter of surprise and pride. We should either bring our universities under this foundation or at least negotiate with it regarding interest-free loans for university students to make the students and institutions able in their economic uplift.
“AD Scientific Index” is a university/institution ranking system that analyses the distribution of scientists in an institution according to the top 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% percentiles and total scientists. According to this system, Agha Khan University which has been established just 40 years ago in 1983 has stronger ranking than university of the Punjab, Lahore established in 1882(140 years ago). University of Management and Technology, Lahore (established in 1990) and Lahore University of Management Sciences (established in 1985) are at senior ranking to Government College University Lahore (established in 1864), University of Peshawar (established in 1864) and University of Sindh (established in 1864). It is matter of great concern that the oldest universities having financed by the governments are going down and the private institutions having no support of the governments are going high towards enrolment, impact, ranking and profit. A few questions arise here;
- Are the stakeholders of the public institutions not owning their institutions?
- Are there exist procedural gaps/ hindrances which are barrier of success?
- Is this not the problem of selection of educational and organizational team?
The process of the selection of new Vice Chancellors for the universities is on full swing. The selection committee is not only going to select the vice-chancellor for the universities, but the future of the entire institution is going to be in their hands for the next four years. I pray that this process becomes an example of honesty and transparency. I also have lot of expectations from Respected Maryam Nawaz Sharif, CM and Honourable Sardar Saleem Haidar Khan, Governor of the Punjab and Chancellor of the Universities regarding paying attention towards the educational prosperity, success and uplift. Both leaders are the ray of hopes for the youth during the prevailing darkness. It is indeed the time to say YES to education.
µThe author is a professor of Islamic Studies having 23 years of teaching, research and administrative university experience at national and international levels having key positions as Dean, Director, and Chairperson etc.
The Author is Professor at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
