Changing Dynamics of Higher Education
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ADVERTISEMENT SUPPLEMENT DAWN WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2012 01 CHANGING DYNAMICS OF HIGHER EDUCATION Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS Javaid R. Laghari, Chairperson, HEC Pirzada Qasim, VC, Ziauddin University Seema Mughal, VC, Greenwhich University The rapid transformation of China, Korea Universities are the most important produc- Emergence of ‘Knowledge Society’ is per- Failure is not the falling down, but staying and Brazil into robust economies through ers of knowledge, which is the driving force of haps the most significant development of the down. Time and again, nations have turned investments in science, technology and innova- prosperity and contributes to upward econom- twenty first century. All levels of education, their fortunes around by investing in their tion illustrate the new role that universities are ic mobility and increasing the standard of liv- whether global or local are bound to respond to future, by providing higher education to their playing today as engines for socio-economic ing. The modern university, with its mix of this change, with Higher Education sector youth. And now, more than ever, we find our- development. Pakistan has undergone a dra- teaching, innovation and research, is different being no exception. It rather has additional selves at a unique juncture. matic positive change in the higher education sector in the last from the universities of the yesteryears, which only served as responsibility of a catalyst for such changing dynamics that decade. This is illustrated by an increase in university enrol- teaching grounds. result in social transformation through knowledge. Since uni- The Information Age is giving way to the Knowledge Era. ment from 276,000 in the year 2002 to 803,000 in 2011, By introducing innovation, creativity and interdiscipli- versities are entrusted with management of social transfor- With the world shrinking to a global village, and with the increase in universities/degree awarding institution from 71 in nary research as a vital component of learning, and with mation, they must respond through all three of their core cloud democratizing computing resources, success is no 2003 to 137 in 2011, increase in local and foreign scholarships knowledge exchange programs, the university contributes functions; teaching, research and community engagement. longer determined by access to specialized equipment but from only 342 during previous 40 years by UGC to about more directly to the economy and society than any other The challenge for higher education in Pakistan is critical by the strength and utility of ideas. 13,000 scholarships by HEC during 2003-2011, increase in institution. engagement of policy, infrastructure, human capacity devel- international research publications from about 600 annually With half of our population below the age of 18, and two opment and investment. Perpetuating this cycle of challenges Young countries have gotten on the road to progress by in year 2,000 to 6,200 in year 2011. This has been termed as a thirds below the age of 30, it is important to capitalize on our is the concurrent emergence of ‘Knowledge Economy’. establishing themselves as knowledge economies. silent revolution by neutral international authorities. The demographic dividend and build up a knowledge economy Universities will have to appreciate and responded timely, Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Committee on Higher through education, research, technology and entrepreneur- which is now, to this challenge by expanding knowledge base We in Pakistan were late to exploit the Information Age. Education, Science & Technology declared it as “Pakistan’s ship. All developed countries and emerging economies have in varying disciplines. A challenge still greater would be tri- But now, let us also not let the Knowledge Era go by. Let us golden period in higher education” Pakistan must continue on done so. Pakistan must learn its lessons and invest in its youth angulating teaching, research and community involvement. prepare our citizens of tomorrow to be active contributors this path of change to develop a strong knowledge economy through facilitating education otherwise risk being left The aim of this triangulation must remain to produce human in the coming marketplace of ideas that the global society and rid itself from poverty, hunger and deprivation. ■ behind. ■ capital for greater and integrated national development. ■ is poised to become. ■ Dr Naseem Khan, VC, Hamdard University Dr Akif Hasan, VP, Iqra University Rita Akhtar, Executive Director, USEFP Chris Price, CMO, PFL Group International On the august event of publication of Dawn “Technology has revolutionized today’s high- We want to help Pakistani students, scholars, There has been an incredible pace of change Higher Education Gazette, it gives me pleasure er education. Soon we will be finding each uni- teachers, and professionals avail a variety of in the provision and delivery of higher educa- to recall Founder Chancellor Hamdard versity having global presence without brick higher education opportunities in the U.S. We tion both within countries and in the field of University, Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s and mortar. are currently administering 13 academic international education. following golden words: “It has been my exchange programs, including the world's The key changes have been the increase in endeavor to prepare Pakistani youth for the Marketing focus will shift to Faculty Brands largest Fulbright program. The Fulbright provision at a national and provincial level to Challenges of tomorrow. I would like to see the youth study- rather than Institutions. Scholarship Program, named for its founder the late Senator meet the HRD demands of society, business, national infra- ing at our campuses to develop the qualities of devotion, love, J. William Fulbright, is the flagship academic exchange pro- structure and development. Pakistan is a clear case of this determination and service to mankind.” Higher education in There will be visiting students shopping for Faculty Brands gram of the U.S. Department of State. With generous funding with new Universities and colleges coming on stream and the Pakistan, should, therefore, be able to address the burning to come on their CV’s and transcripts. from USAID, we are sending nearly 200 students on Masters increased understanding and will to have collaboration with socio-economic problems being faced by the country today by and PhD programs to many of the best universities in the U.S. international organization and institutions. creating much needed trends in education. Hence, there is a Fee will be for the faculty brands rather than Institutions. this academic year. In addition, we are sending about 200 Increased emphasis on high quality teaching and learning dire need to carve suitable research areas which can assist Industry will look for specialist graduates trained by special- undergraduate students for a semester of study in the U.S. on as the crucial area of importance for the core task of many the country coming out of quagmire. ist Faculty Brands. the Global UGRAD Program. We are proud that all of our universities - undergraduate teaching. In combination with Our Ph.D. and M.Phil students should undertake topics programs are merit-based and our selection processes fair this there has been a noticeable increase in the output of which may assist in resolution of Pakistan’s issues particular- Faculty Brands ownership will not be confined to individ- and transparent. research both within Pakistan and internationally as univer- ly in socio-economic sector. The Higher Education, in ual institutions but to a pool of Institutions. For students seeking advice and assistance in applying to sities strive to push the boundaries of knowledge forward. To Pakistan, should also diversify its role by creation of research, colleges and universities in the U.S., USEFP offers free edu- meet the latent demand for accessible and affordable HE innovation and commercialization centers to undertake Survival in that era will be for those who are embracing the cational advising services in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. another changing dynamic has been the increased involve- research, innovation and commercialization activities befit- technology by foreseeing the changing dynamics of higher You will find all sorts of useful information on the USEFP ment of the private sector in HE provision and a noticeable ting national needs as well as international demands. ■ education.” ■ and EducationUSA websites. ■ increase in on line or distance learning provision. ■ 02 DAWN WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2012 ADVERTISEMENT SUPPLEMENT We are proud of our students’ achievements, and for example, in 2010 one of our students SZABIST is a fully chartered institute earned a world distinction in Economics he Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and CNN. of Development. We are very pleased to Institute of Science and Technology SZABIST today is identified as a major Dynamics of Higher Education T (SZABIST) is a fully Chartered university comprising of five campuses announce the opening of our dedicated Institute established through a Legislative (including one foreign campus) three diplo- Better educated and skilled human capital is an essential Act of the Sindh Assembly (Sindh Act No. ma centers, three intermediate colleges and UoL campus in the heart of old Clifton XI of 1995) and is approved and recognized one research center. Over 3000 degrees precursor for the country's economic growth and poverty effective August 2012. by the Higher Education Commission have been awarded by SZABIST to date. reduction. Access to education offers the single most (HEC), Pakistan, as a degree granting insti- SZABIST has a diverse range of academ- important opportunity of upward mobility to the country's tution. ic programs to offer to its students at all youth. It is thus the most reliable means to achieving social SZABIST has campuses in Karachi, campuses that includes degrees in Faculty integration, ethnic harmony, and political stability as fac- Islamabad, Larkana, Dubai and now of Management Sciences, Computing, Social tors that enable evolution of a prosperous, peaceful, and Hyderabad to meet the growing educa- and Media Sciences, Mechatronics progressive society.