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    HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

    Written by: Dr. Usman Ali Isani
    Posted on: July 03, 2013 | | 中文

    (From left to right) Senator Mushahid Hussain, V.C. Dr. Usman Ali Isani and Dr. Ijaz Hussain, Dean of Social Sciences, at a Department of History, Quaid-e-Azam University event

    Starting with a population of about 35 million in 1947, the estimated population of Pakistan in 2012 was around 180 million.  Out of this, the rough estimate of the university going cohort (ages 18 to 25) is about estimated to be around 25 million.

    Higher Education is generally recognized as education beyond 12 years of schooling.  The enrolment in the higher education sector in Pakistan is barely 6% of the above age group.  In absolute numbers, the enrolment is quite large but when the size of the age cohort is looked at, we find that a large number of students never get to higher education.

    In a globalized world, science and technology is the determining factor for whether a country can provide a high level of living.  Obviously, Pakistan has a lot of youth in the age group who can benefit from higher education.

    In the last few years, Pakistan has shown considerable progress in the higher education sector.  There are now almost 150 universities both in the public and private sectors in the country. The government has also accelerated its spending on the university sector.  Many initiatives have been introduced to improve higher education.  Standards have been set by the Higher Education Commission and accrediting bodies have been established to ensure a uniform and quality education in both public and private universities. While considerable progress is visible, a lot still needs to be done, both in terms of expanding the enrolment and improving the quality to meet the international standards.

    In the future, the financing of higher education is going to be a serious issue as the limited funds earmarked for education are likely to be pre-empted by the higher education sector being better organized and more vocal than the lower level of education.  Under these circumstances, the private sector in higher education should be encouraged to play a more dynamic role to cater for the large number of young people of the higher education age group.

    One of the major issues is as to how to ensure equity in private sector universities.  Since the private sector universities do not receive any direct assistance from the government, they have to exist only on the fees and other earnings or donations.  To meet this situation, the private sector universities must create Endowment Funds for needy students.

    The cost of higher education in Pakistan is much lower than the cost in other countries.  For instance, an average private sector university is offering a 4 years accredited Engineering Degree programme for around $ 4,000.  If the law and order situation in the country were to improve, a lot of foreign students would come to Pakistan for their higher education at very reasonable costs.  The other advantage of the higher education system in Pakistan is that the medium of instruction is English.  At the same time, the highly qualified teachers coming back with Doctorate Degrees from advanced countries are also helping produce local teachers with Ph.D. Degrees.  This trend will further serve to improve the standards of higher education in Pakistan.

    Gender equity has been a cause of great debate and anxiety among the policy makers in Pakistan.  The number of female students now completing the 12 years of education which will entitle them to admissions in the institutions of higher learning, is now almost at par with the males.  With this continuing trend, the disparity in admissions into institutions of higher learning will also disappear.

    The higher education sector in Pakistan presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country.  If properly organized it has the potential of equipping the nation with the high technical and scientific knowledge necessary for its progress in the 21st Century.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021