Shafqat Mehmood One of the Key Issues PTI Promised to Address in Its Election Manifesto Was the Shambolic State of Education in Pakistan

ISSUE. 01 | ApR 2019

International Death of students turn away Book reading from DR SHAUKAT MAHMOOD Rana Fawad Getting Them Early DESTINATION fASI ZAKA DR Ishrat Hussain The Man Who Turned IBA Around AustrNIDA TAHSEEN alia Muhammad Azam Mahmood

Chinoy’s secret of success Govt focusing on quality education

Understanding Banuri’s Shafqat vision for change Mehmood | Academia Academia |

www.academiamag.com APR 3 2019 | Academia Academia | Editor- WHAT’S in-Chief’s INSIDE Editor-in-Chief Note IBRAHIM HASAN MURAD Dear Readers Managing Editor More and more Pakistanis are getting enrolled into ANALYSIS EMANUEL SARFRAZ schools, colleges and universities, but as a nation on the whole, we are becoming less and less educated with Editor each passing year. M AZAM MEHMOOD BUTT 16 Some point a finger at politicians for this conundrum; Fasi Zaka’s take on Finnish education model and Editor Reporting others blame an obsolete pedagogy and dated what Pakistan could learn from it. ARSALAN HAIDER curriculum, while some simply do not have the answer INTERVIEW Content Editor to how Pakistan and its education sector got to the KHADIJHA TARIQ point of knowledge bankruptcy. Feature Editor But the fact is, each one of us is to be blamed. Repeated AISHA SAEED governments for not paying attention, teachers for not 24 Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood wanting to instill a truer spirit of learning in pupils, and Head Digital explains his vision to bring change. the students themselves, for not wanting to learn more. RANA HAMMAD ANWAR Despite mushrooming growth of the sector, almost 12% feature International Correspondent of our population is out of schools, the higher education rahib raza enrollment rate is merely 4%, while education only Correspondent merits a budget allocation of no more than 2.2% of the 40 AMMAR SHEIKH GDP. Girls continue to face immense barriers in their Why Pakistani students are now learning and should be learning Chinese & Russian languages? Contributors educational journeys. So where do we go from here? Well, the first step is to FASI ZAKA washington talk DR SHAUKAT MEHMOOD initiate a serious dialogue among all stakeholders, an ARSHAD YOUSAFZAI (KHI) intellectual discourse about the education sector and AAMIR ADNAN (QUETTA) RIAZ UL HAQ (ISB) where it needs to be, followed by concrete strategies RANA FAWAD (USA) that ensure that our literacy rate goes up, the quality of 46 Analysing the higher education scenario in the US where MUHAMMAD ABUBAKAR (UK) education at all level meets international benchmarks NIDA TEHSEEN (AUSTRALIA) enrolment of foreign students has seen a downfall. FAIZAN ALI WARRAICH (LHR) and our students not only become lifelong learners, but also skilled resources who get absorbed readily into the Design & Developed country’s workforce. ZEESHAN ARIF The Academia Magazine is an effort to initiate that Marketing Manager 50 debate. We aim to focus on Pakistan’s education like no SULMAN AHMED one hasACA until now through in-depth analysis, opinions, +92 300 441 6792 reviews and genuine critique of what is, and what should be, happening in the field of education. Office # 514, 5th floor, Al-Hafeez We also aim to become the quintessential guiding light Business Centre, 89/B III, Gulberg III Lahore, Pakistan. for students, parents and teachers so that they are empowered to make the most informed of decisions. RENDEZVOUS For online order log on to: I hope you enjoy the multifaceted content that we have gathered to shed light on various aspects of education. +92 307 444 77 05 Thank you. [email protected] www.academiamag.com DE 54In conversation with Punjab Higher Find us on Education Minister Raja Yassir Humayun academiamag academiamag

Campus News

KARACHI: MoU Signing Ceremony between Benazir Bhutto ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s National LAHORE: Johns Hopkins University delegation visits UVAS. Shaheed University and Pakistan Stock Exchange. Laptop Scheme Phase-III distribution ceremony.

RAWALPINDI: Seminar on Autism a different ability at National University of Medical LAHORE: University of Lahore wins Men’s Ski Championship. KARACHI: Degree Show at Ziauddin College of Media. Sciences. RAWALPINDI: Breast cancer awareness campaign at National University of Medical Sciences.

LAHORE: UVAS holds International Fisheries & Aquaculture Conference & Expo 2019. LAHORE: Actor Noorul Hassan visited LGU.

LAHORE: UMT Career Fair organised by Office of Career Services. ISLAMABAD: Vice Chancellors’ meeting with HEC Chairman Tariq Banuri

ISLAMABAD: 13th Convocation of SARGODHA: Students hold placards during Riphah International University. LAHORE: LUMS Signs MOU with State Bank of Pakistan. walk to mark International Women’s Day LAHORE: Lahore Garrison University signed an MoU with HEC EduTV

KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched its first Kidney Transplant programme in Karachi. An awareness event was organized by AKUH, attended by the media, different nephrologists, dialysis centre managers of Karachi, general physicians and endocrinologists of AKUH, as well as recently treated patients of the kidney transplant centre.

ISLAMABAD: German Ambassador HE Martin Kobler in a group photo during his visit to Air University.

ISLAMABAD: Vice Chancellor of Air University AVM (r) Faaiz Amir LAHORE: Chitral Police gives tribute to Ex-headmaster of Aitchison College Major presenting souvenir to German Ambassador HE Martin Kobler. Geoffrey Langland at his funeral.

KARACHI: Sports Day organised at Baqai Cadet College

ISLAMABAD: Seminar on “From Martyrdom to Independence” jointly organized by the KARACHI: Launching of Comparative Liberal LAHORE: Students of PYP Nursery to 4, Kingston College visited Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan and IQRA University. Studies (CLS) programme at Habib University California Pizza, in line with the theme ‘How the World Works. They got valuable insight into the materials and process involved in baking a pizza.

KARACHI: 2nd Convocation of Jinnah Sindh Medical University. LAHORE: pu vc visits uet.

Kathmandu: Director Quality Enhancement Cell of Karakoram International University Prof Dr Syed Moazam Nizami in a group KARACHI: 3rd IBA Batch of Diploma in Family Managed Business photo during the Upper Indus Basin Network meeting. Programme presented their mock Business plans. LAHORE: Team SSRG Wins KICS Annual Cricket Tournament in UET. LAHORE: mou signing between SBE UMT and SOS village

MIRPUR: Vice Chancellor Karakoram International University Prof Dr Ataullah Shah LAHORE: Seminar on Leadership in Health Care at KEMU. leading HEC technical delegation’s visit to different development projects. LAHORE: 3rd International business conference and exhibition. LAHORE: DG UMT meets Dr Cambadia. APRAPR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APRAPR 2019 10 11 2019 | AcCAaMdemiPUS NaE AcWSa demi | a | | Academi| CAa M AcPUaSdemi NEWSa | |

LAHORE: Graduates at the 14th convocation of the National College of Arts in a group photo with Federal Minister of LAHORE: SDSB Alumni Reunion at LUMS. LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre play at SDSB in LUMS. Education Shafqat Mahmood.

LAHORE: Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mahmood LAHORE: LGS Paragon debating team made it to the final LAHORE: HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri addresses the was the chief guest at 14th convocation of the National of Eurasian Schools Debating championship 2019. launch of Imagine Cup 2019 at Lahore Garrison University. College of Arts. KARACHI: Launching ceremony of c02 smart executive club at NED University.

LAHORE: Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission visited GCU. LAHORE: Launch of Minhaj Halal Certification Bureau at Minhaj University. KARACHI: 27th convocation of NED University. LAHORE: UVAS celebrates International Women’s Day.

LAHORE: 2nd World Islamic Economics and Finance Conference 2019 at Minhaj University. LAHORE: Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar at 16th UMT convocation.

LAHORE: University of Engineering and Technology organized UET Tech Week 2019. LAHORE: PU organzies 82nd Convocation. LAHORE: UVAS Organizes Spring Festival.

LAHORE: President UMT-ILM Trust Ibrahim Hasan Murad presenting SUKKUR: Sukkur IBA University entered into an agreement with SEPCO. ISLAMABAD: HEC Signs MoU with Shenzhen University, China. soveniur to HE Emir Özbay, Consul General of Republic of Turkey. Lahore: hec agricultural Council team visited UMT.

SARGODHA: A delegation of Chinese diplomats inaugurates Pak- SARGODHA: Media students’ training session on production ISLAMABAD: 2nd Convocation at SZABMC. LAHORE: Workshop on Movie Critique by Faiz Rasool at UCP. China friendship exhibition at Sargodha University. at UOS.

LAHORE: Scottish Celtic band Reely Jiggered visited Pakistan for Burns Night – the annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Lahore: Reimaging Muslim Women seminar by Dr Naila Sahar at UCP. Lahore: Group photo taken after Final Year Project Exhibition at UCP. Burns. The band visited the Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary school (SNPET).

LAHORE: 2nd Convocation of Shalamar Medical and Dental College.

KARACHI: Ali Nawaz Memon, noted intellectual, who has also served in the World Bank for some time spoke at an interaction session with KARACHI: Sir Syed University of Engineering & the faculty of Sindh Madressatul Islam University on the subject of Technology held 18th Hajj Balloting for employees. “Opportunities and Challenges for People of Pakistan” .

KARACHI: Job Fair at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology. SUKKUR: SIBACOM-2019 at IBA University.

SUKKUR: Students participating in SIBACOM-2019 at Sukkur IBA University.

AAPRPR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 16 17 2019 | ANALYSIS | | ANALYSIS |

can have on a child growing up. children who have learned at school, Fasi Zaka is While IQ enhancement was not not just attended it. Most of the a Pakistani significant, two socializing factors Other studies studies on early childhood education were significant enough to carry look at centers where there is a high columnist, political forward into adulthood. The first that have shown level of professional competence, commentator, the pupils became more academic that educational having early childhood education oriented, and second that they were attainment in delivered by the state will do no television anchor less likely to turn to crime. nothing unless it is of a high quality Other studies have shown that middle school, (indeed, if the atmosphere is not Fasi Zaka and radio talk show educational attainment in middle higher attendance child friendly it adds to their stress, host. He is popular school, higher attendance and and getting impacting development). amidst the masses getting qualifications and degrees The good news is that both post high-school all improved in qualifications and Punjab and KP have, in the previous for his satirical those who attended pre-school degrees post high- term of government, already begun views and light- compared to those that didn’t. school all improved with creating early childhood These are very significant results. centers. How good they are is still in those who Getting hearted columns Pre-school is often derided for being open to question because they are and shows on nothing more than institutionalized attended pre-school few and new. In a piece by Baela and supervised child’s play. What compared to those Raza Jamil which analyzed some pertinent political is stark about many of these of the existing early childhood that didn’t and national results is that they are strongest education centers in the Punjab, Them for the children from the most she and her team found significant matters of interest. disadvantaged of backgrounds. variations in the ages of children He currently hosts Running pre-school under the all our children how will we manage within a session – children so young same ethos as regular school runs making pre-school a possibility. It a have significant differences in Fasi Zaka’Es takearly on Finnish education model a radio show for counter to its purpose. Children are valid exercise in cynicism. cognitive ability within just one-year and what Pakistan could learn from it FM91. taught to be socialized and learn The truth though, is that we do age variances. Multiage teaching crucial interpersonal skills that have money to spend. Its less than doesn’t work well at this level. not all families and settings can we would like, but just look at this But the demand for state led akistani Twitter incorrectly, assuming meant a tidbit time to be children, unburdened deliver. Play is central to this process statistic, in 2016 Balochistan was education provision needs to is a hotbed of of information – until someone by school will still allow them to because it teaches cooperation, spending 20% of its budget on now include not just education contentious called me out on it. Factoid actually become the engines of a world and perhaps more critically, that education. It’s a similar case around for all – but the provision of early discussion mired means unreliable information that beating education system that learning and school is a place the country. Pakistan is committing childhood education for young by unfortunate has been repeated so often that it is regularly outdoes many countries where they can have fun. With enormous spends to education children to address inequality, one invective. But assumed to be true. bigger, richer and more developed structured interventions of learning (conventional wisdom says we aren’t) of the primary political drivers of the despite this A factoid I have often used than they are. - the preparation for the future is – but we are just receiving poor resurgence of interest in education. unwelcoming without much thought to its But, 97% of Finnish children significant. results for our money. The future will come from letting description,P it’s an extraordinarily accuracy is that Finnish students receive some form of pre-school Of course, one can be skeptical The challenge is not just to fund children play, in preschool. useful place in the most meaningful, start school at seven years of age. or daycare between the ages of applying this in the case of Pakistan education more, but also to ensure but unexpected of ways. Which is true, but its misleading. This 3-6. There is a stronger consensus – surely, since we cant even educate what we already spend yields I had always used the word factoid fact suggests that allowing children in the past few decades that, despite debates about the merit of burdening children with schoolwork in later years, getting to children earlier through some form of schooling is enormously beneficial to children as they get older and more advanced into the education system. Peter Savelyev, a Vanderbuilt professor, conducted a study into the The HighScope Perry Preschool Project which tracked the outcomes from a randomized trial of African American children who went to preschool and those that didn’t. The results were remarkable, and had a significant effect on some of the debilitating disadvantages poverty

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or a major portion of your work-life, you were associated with I think no country in the banking sector. the world can make We would like to know what motivated progress unless you to move to the and until they pay education spectrum. attention to the Who motivated you for this 180 degree Muhammad Azam Mahmood F higher education transition? I always wanted to make a valuable because this helps contribution to the society and wanted in producing leaders to work in a field that I was most passionate about, after my retirement. for every particular DR Ishrat Husain I think no country in the world can field in the country make progress unless and until they pay attention to the higher education The Man because this helps in producing leaders for every particular field in the country. the students were living in very bad they are doing their study abroad and (past administrators) performance and If you have poor and weak leaders conditions and the laboratories were the time when they come back at least would like to salute the efforts of the than you cannot make much head outdated, classrooms were not of 85 percent of them will be holding previous administration. When I joined Who Turned break. Therefore I chose IBA, as it was the way that you could bring in the Ph.D. degrees and that is the hallmark IBA I found solutions to the problems a premier institution and had a good modern delivery mechanisms of of a global institution. The third aspect instead of cracking out what happened track record and I felt that I could make methodological tools. For instance, was a technological up gradation. in the past. I was looking only at the IBA Around some humble and modest efforts in there were was no IT in the whole We wanted to have enterprise period where I had the opportunity order to transform it not only into a campus. In the present times, you need resource planning and campus to place things rightly. So I don’t care national but a global institution which different technological innovations and planning solutions. Now teachers give about the problems they were facing IBA has always been the top business could be helpful for the country and its hence my strategy had four aspects or assignments to students electronically, and what their considerations were people. It was the passion towards the dimensions; firstly I wanted to invest the registrations are done electronically back then. school in Pakistan, but got pushed to field of education that motivated me in in the physical infrastructure so that and the tests are also completed and the back of the pack due to lack of this journey. we could overcome the difficulties submitted electronically. The fourth In the past, obsolete administrative but also plan developments that aspect was to bring new programs mechanisms were in place that often infrastructure and administrative red tape. You joined IBA well over 15 years back. could satisfy the future needs. Hence because Karachi needed education in disregarded students. Do you find it to That was until Dr Ishrat Husain took its What were the conditions at that I worked and secured 5 billion rupees the field of Social sciences, Accounting, be the case now? point of time? Also, can you recall for the private sector and completed Finance, Mathematics and Economics, Students now have 29 societies reins. We find out how he went about the that one issue you considered the 30 projects of academic block, offices as they were lacking. IBA was just a including music society, debating herculean task. most pertinent and worked for its and these initiatives were just not to business school with some Computer society, HR club, and sports club. They resolution? satisfy the present needs but also Science faculty members. There was have a sports complex that provides There were numerous issues at that the future needs. The building has a need for new disciplines and hence a complete range of outdoor as well point of time, but still, the institute been constructed on modern lines our graduate and undergraduate as indoor activities. Students are now was enjoying the status of a very and hence you can accommodate program in the fields of Social science, not only engaged in their studies but reputable institution. The primary new students easily. Also, we have Accounting, Finance and Mathematics are also very active in extracurricular problem was that not even a single 130 offices for 100 teachers in order were introduced and today we have activities. Leadership skills are not classroom, laboratory or hostel room to accommodate any new hiring’s. 4000 students in these departments. classroom taught and are exercised was constructed since 1965, a time The second aspect of my strategy was These were the four strategic objectives by students, where they elect their when US Aid left the country. The faculty development and we started that I achieved by the grace of Allah own office bearers. They themselves enrollment at that point escalated from hiring Ph.D. Faculty members, as we Almighty in five years’ time frame. I later plan, organize, manage, raise as well two hundred students to two thousand had only a few PHD’S back then. At decided that it is now the right time to as utilize funds. Now the role or part students. Even the faculty members the present time, you cannot just let others come because an institution of students is very powerful and the did not have a lab where they could sit hire MBA’S to teach your students should not depend on one individual things that were imposed on them are and research, or prepare their lessons or as they are much smarter than the and that is why I decided to retire. all gone now. The only thing that they even engage with students during the teacher these days. You need to bring are obligated to follow is to come on office hours. Provision of these facilities teachers who have made some name You said IBA had no faculty up- time. I believe that time management is the major pillar of an academic or contributions and hence we started gradation mechanisms since and punctuality will help them in their institution. I was aware that I could not hiring faculty members with PHD’S and the 1960s. Why do you think that future life as well. Now students are attract top-notch faculty members today with the grace of Almighty we happened? Do you think it was much more empowered. to IBA until I provide them with the have 64 Ph.D.’s and almost 20 amongst because of the administrative physical infrastructure and facilities so them are enrolled under the Ph.D. split structure? Great changes were introduced that they can feel comfortable. Even programmes for women teachers or I don’t want to second-guess their by you during your tenure. Do you

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Remain dynamic and adaptable to the needs of employers, the country as well as the community, these are the hallmarks of a great business school

think IBA has now become the have never given funds to a public as well as the community. We have great business school of choice if sector institute. They helped me a center of excellence for journalism, you compare it with other business because they trusted me for the good the center of excellence for Islamic schools? utilization of their money and for finance, the center of excellence for LUMS AND IBA are not much building an institute of eminence. I executive education, for bringing different. However LUMS graduates used to convince the donors by saying people from the industry to have are capturing most of the jobs. that I will produce human resource short courses. We also have a center of Unfortunately, in this country that who will serve you. After all these entrepreneurial development. There encompasses more than 200 million graduates will come and work with you was no such center in IBA and hence people, we should have 10 IBAS and 10 for 20 years or 25 years and hence it is we had to adapt ourselves according to LUMS, but that is not the case. your obligation to help me in building the demands or needs of the society, this institution. I didn’t have much economy and the business community. IBA alumni are one of the most well difficulty, as everybody cooperated with place alumni? How this aspect helped me. I succeeded in getting money, Names of any business school you you in your journey? scholarships, national talent hunt believe are in the emerging category I organized the alumni and programmes, and even alumni funds. in the sector. Any names on the top of maintained a database, as a your mind? majority of students did not update If you are given the opportunity to Numerous schools and institutes their addresses nor informed travel 10 years back what things you are doing a great job. Institute of about any changes. They were will do differently this time around? Management Sciences, Peshawar, IBA not communicating and hence I Are there any things that you believe Sukkur, IBM Karachi, NUST Business established an alumni department. We you should not have done? School, Islamabad, Lahore School of crafted unions, compiled databases, I think younger faculty needed more Economics are prominent in the sector. conducted elections with the BOG in mentoring and coaching back then. which 70 to 80 students were elected Unfortunately, we didn’t have senior With the institution again ahead and now this process is completed members and this is the gap which of the pack when it comes to electronically and hence everybody should have been filled. We couldn’t imparting quality business education, can participate. Now alumni functions find faculty members with high caliber Dr Ishrat has set the administrative are organized at the IBA campus and and the qualifications that were bar extremely high and a tough act chapters of Dubai, Canada, UK, Lahore, needed. This is the gap due to which for incumbent Executive Director Dr and Islamabad also organize events the faculty members are not very Farrukh Iqbalto emulate. We truly wish and activities. Greater techniques engaged in research, case studies, and Dr Iqbal gets all the support he needs were initiated during my tenure as advisory services to the community, to take IBA to new heights. the alumni were scattered and were organizations or businesses due to connected through their Facebook which they are not very well known. M Azam Mahmood Butt has roots and class roots and hence were This is something that I would like to an MBA from IBA and is the editor not attached to the institution and its change. for Academia Magazine. He has Alma mater. This was the major gap previously been part of the English that I filled in. What do you think are some of language news media industry, and the essential ingredients of a great also worked in the retail and real How do you manage to convince business school? estate sectors. He can be reached at people for donation and funding? Remain dynamic and adaptable to [email protected]. I must not lie about it that people the needs of employers, the country

APR www.academiamag.com 2019 22 | ANALYSIS | | ANALYSIS |

According to the Pakistan Education Statistics 2016-17 – the most recent detailed survey of Rural education in the country – the major challenge Pakistan’s untold to achieving the goal of education remains in the rural parts of the country AMMAR SHEIKH education crises

22.84 million children are still out of to be in rural parts of Pakistan. Of areas. Punjab was reported to have Pakistan faces an school in the country, with 5.06 million these, Punjab had 3,148 rural schools 326 such schools in rural areas, Sindh enormous challenge of these being primary-age children. As without electricity, Sindh had 13,994, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa 796, per estimates about half of the out-of- 20,868 rural public schools without Balochistan 7,180, Azad Jammu & of getting its close school children reside in rural parts of power, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2,664, Kashmir 2,136 schools, Gilgit Baltistan to 23 million out-of- Pakistan. Balochistan 7,947, Azad Jammu & had 423 and FATA had 2,320 schools According to the Pakistan Education Kashmir 2,861, Gilgit Baltistan had without the availability of a toilet. school children back Statistics 2016-17 – the most recent 445 rural schools sans power and Security, another major concern into schools, however, detailed survey of education in the FATA had 2,142 schools that remained for parents, especially girls, is also country – the major challenge to without electricity. reported to be missing in many the lack of attention achieving the goal of education The survey shows that a total of Drinking water, a basic necessity, primary schools as a large number of to education and remains in the rural parts of the 8,469 primary schools did not have a is also not available at many of the schools remain without a boundary related facilities country. school building, 93%, or 7,889, of which schools in Pakistan, especially in the wall. A total of 28,703 primary The detailed survey shows that a were in rural parts of the country. Of rural parts of the country. A total of schools were reported to be without in rural Pakistan total of 150,129 primary schools exist in these public schools sans buildings, 29,673 schools were reported to not a boundary wall and 26,781 or 93 presents a mammoth the country, of which 129,351 or 86.15% 89 were reported to be in Punjab and have the facility. Of these, 27,599 or 74 percent of the total were in rural are in rural parts of the country. Out 86 among these in the rural areas of percent were situated in the country’s parts of the country. In Punjab, 1,064 challenge. these primary schools, 121,674 or more the province. Sindh had 4,810 schools rural areas. Punjab had 212 rural public primary schools in rural parts than 81% are government-run schools. without a building, of which 4,608 schools that did not have drinking of the province had a boundary s per the Interestingly, 108,306 or 89% of these were in rural areas. Balochistan had water for students and staff; Sindh wall missing; Sindh had 14,969 such preliminary data of public schools are found in the rural 1,815 schools not having a building, had 16,139 such schools in rural areas, schools, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 783, the 6th Population areas. With such a large number of with 1,500 in rural areas. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had 2,268, Balochistan 6,032 schools, Azad and Housing population residing in the rural areas In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, there Balochistan had 4,060, Azad Jammu Jammu & Kashmir 2,396 schools, Census of Pakistan, and such a significant number of were 1,156 schools without a building, & Kashmir 2,414, Gilgit Baltistan 376 Gilgit Baltistan had 428 and FATA a total of 132.18 public school infrastructure available again 1,096 of them being in rural and FATA had 2,125 that did not have had 1,104 schools that did not have a million people live in country’s rural jurisdiction, the settings. Similarly, Gilgit Baltistan the facility of drinking water. boundary wall. in rural parts of quality of education there should be had 36 such schools, while FATA, Lack of toilets is also seen as a theA country of the total 207.77 million impressive. considered a rural area in entirety, had major hurdle to retaining children Ammar Sheikh is correspondent population of Pakistan. Rural areas of But it’s not. And the reason may 563 schools without a building. in schools, but the situation in of Academia Magazine. He has the country account for more than 63 have to do something with the actual With regards to the availability of this regard also remains abysmal. covered education sector as percent of the total population. facilities in these public schools. Many electricity in primary schools, a total According to the survey, a total of reporter in leading English dailies. While Pakistan’s literacy rate of the schools in rural areas lack basic of 42,892 were reported to not have 29,360 primary schools in the country He can be reached at ammar. dropped to 58 percent from 60 facilities such as a building, boundary power. Again, 93% of these schools are without a toilet, and 27,181 or 93 [email protected] and percent from the previous year, over walls, electricity, water and toilets. without electricity were reported percent among these are in the rural on twitter @ammarshek.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 24 25 2019 | iNTERVIEW | | iNTERVIEW |

Khadijha Tariq

Govt focusing on quality education Shafqat Mehmood One of the key issues PTI promised to address in its election manifesto was the shambolic state of education in Pakistan. Shafqat Mahmood now handles a tough ministry that is vital to the future of Pakistan and its youth. Khadijha Tariq sat down with Mahmood to find out what change is in the offing.

hafqat Mehmood various capacities. After quitting is a prominent the civil service in 1990, Mehmood What was expected from PTI was political figure and started his political career and joined revamping the system of education currently holds two Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). After on a war footing. There has been a important portfolios, resigning from this portfolio, he started delay in announcing the education including the Ministry writing columns for English-language policy to ensure quality education for Education and newspaper, The News International for all. What are the hurdles and Our Education policy framework centres around four Professional Training and was a hard-core critic of Pakistan impediments? different aspects that include out-of-school children, Sand Ministry for National History and Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its chief Actually, this is not true because single national curriculum, quality and skills development. Literary Heritage, under the PTI led Imran Khan. After the assassination of we have announced an education government. Born on February 19, Benazir Bhutto, he quit PPP and joined policy framework and that framework But we have added a fifth dimension to it which is literacy 1950, Mehmood completed his early Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in November basically centres around four different and is now the centerpiece of the entire policy education from the Government 2011 and has been affiliated with this aspects which include out-of-school College University and later got party till date. children, single national curriculum, enrolled at the prestigious Harvard In an exclusive interview with quality and skills development. But University and University of Southern Academia magazine the minister we have added a fifth dimension California for graduate studies. He talked about the most pertinent and to it which is literacy and is now the started his career by joining the pressing issues in education sector. centerpiece of the entire policy. The bureaucracy in 1973 and served in Following are excerpts of the interview: literacy rate is down to 58 percent

so now we are in the midst of same content. This is something that foreign enrolments in our educational formulating a literacy policy in we are seriously considering. institutes? which we will put together all sorts After amendments in the Firstly, we have to improve the quality At the moment, of different mechanisms in order constitution, education is now of our university education which is not to push up the literacy rate. One of a provincial subject. Does your very high at this point of time. When I there are hundreds the things that we are considering government intend to make it a was a student we used to have students of PhDs who have is to make social work a compulsory federal subject again? coming from many countries to Pakistan no jobs and that’s subject. I would like to add that we We are not thinking to change for education purposes and our goal is to are just considering it and it is not the constitution right now, but I increase this number again. We can only a real shame and decided yet. We are proposing to am working very closely with the do that if we have quality universities. We it also means make social work a compulsory provincial governments. I will try that have 34 to 39 public sector universities in that something is subject after class 12 in colleges. all our ideas should have support Punjab and more universities are being Whether it is a medical college or a from them. The idea is to work established. There is no point of having seriously wrong science college, or it is a government together for the cause of education as a university if you don’t give quality with our planning or private institute, we will make social a united nation. Education is not a PTI education which should definitely be the work a mandatory subject. Every boy issue or that of any political party, it is number one priority. Once the quality of education is there, the possibility of graduating in mass communication. attracting foreign students is always What are the plans of your government there. We are giving some scholarships to to ensure the creation of new jobs, as The idea is to work together for the cause of Yemenis and Afghans and some of them promised by PTI in its manifesto? education as one united nation. Education is are paying their own education expenses. We are focusing on skill-based not a PTI issue or that of any political party, it But we need to expand this. education which will have a very close link Prime Minister Imran Khan has always with the market. There is no use of doing a is a pertinent national issue emphasized on the importance of master’s or PhD if you can’t get a job. At the introducing reforms in the education moment, there are hundreds of PhDs who and girl who is studying would have sector. Considering the current financial have no jobs and that’s a real shame and to take classes of adult learning as crisis will you be able to increase the it also means that something is seriously a part of the social work course that education budget? wrong with our planning. So we have to he or she is supposed to complete. We are in the process of formulating our match our education with the job market Students would be graded on it and plans. We should not just ask for money and this is something that we are planning hence it will work as an incentive for without any reason. What we need to to do. these students. So our target is to do is to have the right plan and then ask Although the plans look promising and focus on adult literacy and for that we for money. We are now in the process of could prove beneficial for the education are planning to introduce social work, finalizing our plans and we will In shaa sector in Pakistan, the proof of the pudding opening adult literacy centres and Allah have money available. will only be in its tasting. Here’s to hoping using technologies. What checks have you placed to ensure the PTI government gets the ingredients How do you intend to bring that the allocated budget for education is ready at the earliest and to the cooking uniformity in the education system, not embezzled or wasted in any way? part sooner. as parallel systems are operational We have to employ safeguards, improve including Matriculation, Cambridge accountability, abide by PEPRA rules and if Khadijha Tariq has a masters in and Madrassa system? How does we follow them there will be no corruption. mass communication and currently is a your government plan to handle There is a saturation in the job market. content editor for Academia Magazine. this and how a uniform curriculum a pertinent national issue. I have met Thousands of students who graduate are She has previously worked as a freelance will be enforced under the new Sindh’s chief minister and education forced to work at underpaid jobs or are academic writer. She can be reached education policy? minister and I am also in touch with jobless after graduation. For instance, at [email protected] and This is precisely why single our close allies in other provinces. hundreds of journalists have lost their tweets at @khadijhatariq. national curriculum is one of the Hence the central government will jobs while thousands of students are major standpoints of our policy. I am take the lead in order to implement a planning to hold a meeting with all unified policy nationwide. the stakeholders and we are going Nearly 190 universities are to talk about how we can create a functioning in Pakistan. Many new solutions single national curriculum. The idea disciplines have been introduced. of a single national curriculum does There is a lot of scope to attract cross not mean that all the subjects would foreign students from Africa, the be taught similarly but there will be Middle East, South Asia and Far word & some core subjects which would be East countries including Myanmar, taught to all children through the Indonesia and Cambodia. Is it part Sudoku same textbook which will have the of your education policy to attract

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 28 29 2019 | ANALYSIS | | ANALYSIS | the Advisor of CM responsible for education department in Balochistan. Lehri is a landlord by profession and belongs to the fertile Teachers are paid handsome salaries but Naseerabad district of Balochistan. some of them do not show up for jobs. He is not properly educated and has Others who do show up do not teach with no capacities to run the education department. He was exposed in required interest and hence the education the very first education seminar he system suffers addressed after his appointment. Adnan Aamir He could not speak proper Urdu and fumbled the basic facts of Balochistan. The educators and education reformers in attendance Education were completely disappointed at the fate of the education department for the next five years. This speech went viral on social media and the Situation government was widely criticized for in Balochistan his appointment. In addition to having an incapable person to run the department, Remains Abysmal education in Balochistan has several other problems. The first The largest, and possibly the most mineral-rich, province of problem is the inefficient utilization of resources in the education Pakistan has suffered in many forms, but none is more pertinent department. Education is the than the suffering its education sector has been subject to for largest department of the province with over 70,000 employees the past 70 years. Politics, both from teachers and politicians, has and Rs 50 billion annual budget. The failure of government left the education sector in a mess that will take years of sincere Initially, the education budget was educational institutes has given moderate but it skyrocketed after rise to private schools. There are effort to clean up. Adnan Amir writes what is and what should be the announcement of education many private schools all over the happening for education in Balochistan. emergency in Balochistan by province. Most of them are providing erstwhile Chief Minister Dr Malik quality education to the students Baloch. Balochistan spent over in return for a fee. However, the Rs 200 billion on education in the bureaucracy of the education he general an improved education system in last five years but the output is not department did not even spare elections of 25th Balochistan in near future. promising. As per data analysis of private schools. In the name of July brought The first test of the new provincial education spending in Pakistan by controlling high fees of private Imran Khan government of Balochistan was this scribe, Balochistan spends the schools, a draconian regulatory law into power. The the appointment of the education highest amount on the education was passed in 2015. Titled “Private elevation of the minister. In the last government, the of per student. Balochistan spends Educational Institution Registration PTI government education minister was the least Rs 39,500 per student per year as and Regulation Authority Act brought with itself appropriate person for the job. Abdul compared to Punjab Rs 16,000, 2015,” this law made Balochistan Thopes of change all over the country. Rahim Zairatwal, parliamentary Sindh Rs 24,000 and Khyber Education Foundation (BEF) the Likewise, in Balochistan, a coalition leader of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Pakhtunkhwa Rs 20,500. However, regulatory body for private schools. of PTI and Balochistan Awami Party Party (PKMAP), served as education this enormous spending does resulted in misappropriations and BEF is itself a semi-government (BAP) formed the government. minister from 2015 to 2018. He was not reflect in terms of quality of embezzlements of these funds. It’s social development organization Jam Kamal, the President of BAP, allegedly responsible for nepotism, education in the province. very regular that complaints are and completely incapable of playing was sworn in as the chief minister extortion, and abuse of power. The second major problem is made about the corruption of DEOs, a regulatory role. This decision was of Balochistan on 19th August. He single-handedly blocked the related to the lack of proper who get unpunished due to their taken to empower BEF, whose With Jam Kamal in office people attempts of education reforms accountability mechanism arrangement with the education managing director was the cousin of Balochistan hoped for reforms in Balochistan by foreign donors for teachers and education department’s bureaucracy. Teachers of then governor Balochistan. BEF in education department on war such as World Bank, UNICEF, and managers. With the increase in the are paid handsome salaries but has severely affected the capacity footings. European Union. With a tainted However, Jam Kamal’s government education budget, the funds at some of them do not show up for of private schools to deliver quality However, the decisions of the legacy in the recent past, the failed the test. the disposal of District Education jobs. Others who do show up do not education. The private school new government in the first four portfolio of education should have The new government appointed Officers (DEOs) have increased teach with required interest and associations have been protesting months have reduced the hopes of been given to an appropriate person. Muhammad Khan Lehri as massively. However, this has also hence the education system suffers. against this law ever since.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 30 31 2019 | Mind games |

| ANALYSIS | CROSSWORd

Balochistan spends Rs 39,500 per student per year as compared to Punjab’s Rs 16,000, Sindh’s Rs 24,000 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rs 20,500

Moreover, the third major problem acts as a stumbling block against has to delay voting on this bill due is the negative role of Teacher reforms in the education sector in to the protests by GTA. The final Unions. There are a couple of Balochistan. decision on whether to pass the bill powerful unions of teachers in In this backdrop, the current or scrap it will be a real test of the Balochistan named Government government took a bold step. It nerves of CM Kamal. Teachers Association (GTA). With announced to make education an There is no single solution for the subscription paying members essential service through legislation. plethora of education-related in form of teachers all over 33 The proposed Balochistan Essential problems in Balochistan. However, districts of Balochistan, GTA is more Education Service Act, 2018,” will bar there are a series of steps, if taken organized than any political party strikes, boycott of classes or lockout with resolve can bring change. First, in Balochistan. GTA acts as a shield of classrooms by teachers and GTA. the government should appoint for teachers, education managers This bill also stipulates a year-long a capable minister who has the and bureaucracy of education conviction or fine of Rs 0.5 million capacity and will to reform the department against accountability. for the teachers who were found education. Secondly, the capable Whenever disciplinary action is involved in strikes and protests. minister and the key education taken against any of them, GTA When this bill was being tabled in officials should be allowed to closes schools in protests and Balochistan Assembly, the members work for at least three years to the government is compelled to of GTA were protesting outside of bring meaningful change. Lastly, Sudoku withdraw its decisions. On top of the assembly. GTA leaders refused to education should be depoliticized that most of the GTA leaders are also accept this bill and termed it a basic and all political parties should office bearers of political parties and violation of their fundamental rights. refuse any sort of political help this further increases their clout and The bill has not been passed so far from teachers. These actions bargaining position. GTA effectively and it’s highly likely that government combined can contribute towards the improvement of the education sector in Balochistan. It is time the powers that be in Balochistan rise above petty politics and differences to reform the educational process in the province. Else, the genie of illiteracy will only come back to haunt them in due time.

Adnan Aamir is a journalist and researcher based in Quetta, Pakistan. He can be reached at email: Adnan.Aamir@Live .com and twitter: @iAdnanAamir.

FOR SolutionS SEE PAGE 27 APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 32 33 2019

| cOMMENT | | cOMMENT |

Today, in an age when browsing the net, playing with disconsolate handsets and passing non-stop SMS with stupid Dr Shaukat Mahmood abbreviations and ridiculous symbols seem to have become normal chores of students

Death of could narrate even two couplets of the national anthem. These are the parents of our misguided youth. Book reading These rich youth join colleges only for the sake of fun, a pastime and not for education. Books to them mean Show me a youngster reading a novel and I’ll show you what rarity nothing. They are obsessed by the really means. The fondness for reading is dying a quick death, and Dr mania of riding heavy motor-bikes for one-wheeling. They love to ride their Shaukat Mahmood describes why it needs to be revived. bikes without silencers. They drive previous government did not improve Pajeros, Land Rovers and Land Cruisers our education standards albeit it further at high speed violating all traffic rules. e have to facility and craze, interactive medium of attractive than sitting in a corner and marred the interest of our students in This category of our youth is serving think seriously images through WhatsApp and TV are reading a book. But for a student who books. Students often claim why to as a bad example for those who really how the the engagements of our youth today. is seriously involved in studies sitting carry a burden (of books) unnecessarily want to study and those who love growing More than often these engagements in a corner and reading a text-book when there is a laptop available? Many books. They ridicule the bibliophiles generations are useless pursuits taking majority or a book related to subject has no complain that in this fast life where directly or indirectly. For them liaison will find time time of our students. alternative. Often internet has no to find time to read. Everything has of friendship means materialistic give to read. While I have often been to various colleges response to what we want to know. become instant and students are losing and take – amity ends as soon as the Wtechnology is taking control steadily and universities’ selection boards as This applies particularly to the subjects their patience to spend time in reading, wheeling and dealing is over. Our youth over individual lives, the reading habit a subject expert. A question which which are of very local nature. for them computer or laptop is the best must return to books whether related is fast vanishing into thin air. I used to I always asked the candidates was, Modern life style of visiting places and the quick response. to their courses of study or not. Even sigh at the city libraries presenting a “Which book you have read recently?” and other recreations or hobbies Not many years ago parents used to books on scientific, mythological and gloomy picture of gradual decline in Without any exception, the answer was occupy most of our time these days. encourage their children to read books Our established social fabric has been historical themes can widen outlook voracious readers who used to flock in long silence. Change in lifestyle is the reason for and students used to discuss about completely eroded by progenies and knowledge. the evenings.” There are sufficient reasons that the decline in book reading. Decades what they had read which induced and posterity of the nouveau riche The younger lot should get back to the Habit of reading books has been a account for this silence and the decline back there were a lot of magazines others to read. But today our students particularly in the political circles. habit of reading not because it has to, great help in acquiring information and in reading habit. Students think and books kept on the table in houses read nothing thus have nothing to Ninety nine percent of them have got but because it wants to. As Dr Suess knowledge. Unfortunately today our that reading books consumes more for the use of parents as well as kids share with their classmates. This is a their hands on dirty-big money via famously put it: The more that you read, teachers as well as our students have time than referring to computers. and even guests books and magazines very sad state. Today many Pakistani illegal means. Parents belonging to the more things you will know. The little regard for books though reading Computers seem to be more attractive used to be on the tables in the waiting parents think that reading books will this category we see in our assemblies. more that you learn, the more places habit survives in a different way. Today, to them than books. The question rooms of doctors, bus stations and divert the attention of their children Once I saw an interior minister who you’ll go. in an age when browsing the net, of spending money on books is over- railway stations. People had time and from their serious tasks and goals of could not recite Sura al-Ikhlas at the playing with disconsolate handsets ruled by the thought that everything there was no otherway to pass time. achieving high marks in examinations. beginning of a cabinet meeting. Dr Shaukat Mahmood is a well- and passing non-stop SMS with stupid is available in a computer so students But today the situation is different. Our Only high marks decide the future At another occasion a member of known writer and the man behind abbreviations and symbols seem prefer to spend money on something students lack the knack to visit book of their children. They have to work the Senate could not recite Suara popular Maxim cartoons. He is to have become normal chores of else than spending on books. With shops and libraries. This has resulted in seriously on their text books to get high al-Fatiha. I also saw a reporter of a TV currently heading Research Centre students. Even when the students are every house having a number of a considerably decreased number of marks. For them reading books is a channel, standing outside assembly for Doctoral Studies at University sitting in the class and the lecturer is TVs and every TV having number of quality bookshops. There are no really waste of time! This attitude has to be building, asking MPAs contents of our of Punjab. He can be reached at delivering his lecture, students are often channels, sometime exceeding a large bookstores in a city like Lahore. defeated. national anthem. Not a single MPA [email protected]. seen busy in messaging. The internet hundred, TV and internet are more Free distribution of laptops by the

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 36 37 2019 | HEALTH & NUTRITION | | HEALTH & NUTRITION |

Dairy

Whether you are a school, college, university or even a Food Groups to postgraduate student dairy products work as fuel for academic success and for this reason they are ranked third on our list of healthy boost Brain snacks. ating right can Dairy products are essential make you smart to energize the control as it gives your centre of your body “the brain that specific brain” that allows you to nutritional Fruits move, feel and think. The support, which calcium in dairy products helpsE you to perform better. Fruits are on top of our list considering the fact that they is not only significant for Lot of studies have been done are complete healthy study snacks.Fruits are jam-packed getting enough calcium on this topic to identify what with vitamins, which are crucial to increase mental agility. but also helps you to build foods students can use to The healthy glucose you get from natural carbohydrate bone mass which leads fuel their body as well as their sources like fruits is best to get energy to enriched bone health brain. Everybody knows that for both body and brain instead of throughout the life cycle. an average student is often using other higher-calorie junk foods. Probiotics in dairy products pressed for time and also Almost all fruits are antioxidant. Use fruits as a snack enhance the good bacteria sometimes has bad habits like to get more fibre and less sugar if you are not able in our body which leads skipping meals or frequently to prepare balanced meal. Believe it or not eating to improved memory. visiting fast food restaurants. fruits is the only way to make sure that your body Have a look on these dairy During a latest study done is getting the right amount of nutrients it needs to products that can help you on a group of students in achieve your educational goals. Here are some fruits to stay active in class. America students were asked that you can use to boost your energy instantly. to give their opinion on their favoritestudy snacks. Answers Milk | Yogurt | Cheese | Cream | Butter were hilarious from gluten- Apples | Strawberries | Banana | Watermelon | Grapes free to low-carb options, and all the way down to syrupy snacks with energy drinks. So what are the best study snacks or foods students Dry Fruits should include in their day to Rich in proteins, dietary fibre and fruits not only substitutes Almonds | Cashews | Pistachios | Dates | Walnuts day diet? minerals make dry fruits come conventional snacking options Despite what many of us second on our list of healthy study but also improve your ability believe it’s not that hard snacks. Dry fruits provide students to perform specific memory to get started with healthy with host of health benefiting oriented tasks in a better way. study snacks. Here are some properties and promote digestion. Here are some good dry fruits great food groups and snacks Most dry fruits are rich on options you can eat instead of that will definitely make you neuroprotective compounds that using sugary artificial foods to perform better not only in the enhance cognitive function& satisfy your appetite. classroom but in the athletic memory. Regular intake of dry field as well.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 38 39 2019 | HEALTH & NUTRITION |

SeaFood If you are feeling forgetful at class the best solution is seafood. Without doubt seafood plays a major role in brain health and for many good reasons gets the fourth position on our list. Regular intake of seafood encourages good blood flow to the brain that helps you to boost memory and better utilization of brain. So it’s strongly advised to use nutritious seafood instead of eating conventional fast food or bakery snacks. Many studies confirm the good impact of seafood on students as it plays a vital role to increase working remembrance, retain active body functions and reduce depression. Check out these seafoods that will definitely help you to perform better during your academic career.

Fish oil | Fish Meat | Prawns | Edible seaweed | Lobster

Broccoli | Spinach | Tomatoes | Potato | Carrot Vegetables Vegetables can provide those precise nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body andbrain. Instead of candied snacks filled with artificial colours and fats, there is a rainbow of colours to choose from if you start eating vegetables as a study snack. Withuncountable health benefits vegetables are on fifth place on our list of study snacks that can enhance your aptitudeand performance as a student. Many nutrients in vegetables such asdietary fibre, folic acid, vitamin A, potassium and vitamin C permit you to perform better. If you are overweight than you mustinclude vegetables in your day to day dietary habits. Eating vegetables as your study snack can lend a hand as vegetables are naturally low in fat but high on vitamins. Enter these delicious vegetables in your daily diet to get improved intellectual abilities within no time. APR www.academiamag.com 2019 40 | TECH | | TECH |

Best Education

HAMMAD ANWAR Apps For Students 2019 Conclusion: It’s really easy to get lost in notes and ideas while As a student in this digital era, world must be at your fingertips with access to any information you are studying. Fortunately, the app market has from anywhere. The introduction of applications in the education sector have completely exploded with useful for students to transformed learning methods as they allow you to learn at your own pace. Mobile apps mobile apps are the new smart way to search and segregate appropriate study material quickly. Find help them streamline their academic and personal mobile applications that can ease up study problems and facilitate you in learning. Mobile 5lives. You can find an app on everything you can applications are the future of the learning, so adapt the trend to keep the ball rolling in this imagine nowadays and if you want to make your tech-savvy era. student life easier these apps can surely lend a hand. There’s a gigantic array of mobile apps available that students can use for learning, organizing, revising topics, taking study notes, or increasing productivity. We want to highlight some of the best apps that can grease the wheels of students of all ages.

Duolingo: Chegg Books: Mystudylife:

ant to expand your re you in need textbooks for his app is a good choice if you language skills or want the new semester without want to say goodbye to your Wmake your breaks and Apaying, then download Tpaper planner. Mystudylife commutes more productive by from Chegg Books free app. With is a great tool that will not make learning a new language? Duolingo is this app you can find rentals of your study life easier but also helps the best language-learning platform textbooks and other study materials you to manage it more efficiently. Evernote: StudyBlue: mobile app that can help. The app is according to your need. You can also The app has a user friendly to do loaded with lessons that have variety search for books and order them list options with ability to manage vernote is good app if you want to manage your focus his app is totally for you if want to connect with of speaking, listening, translation, on economical prices if they’re not week and day rotation timetables as on what matters most to you. It’s an app that not only your study material in fun way. Studyblue is an and multiple choice challenges to available on rent. Rental terms of well as traditional weekly schedules. Estores everything from personal moments but also for Tonline study platform where you can upload class make you familiar with a foreign this website are much more flexible The app further notifies you about academic projects. The application auto-syncs your devices, study materials, notes, pictures, saved webpages, create language. Duolingo uses gamification and come along with a Q&A section all incomplete tasks and upcoming from desktop, smartphone, to tablet and your data always electronic flashcards to study. The app also let it users techniques that make learning a where you can browse question classes and exams so that you can remain available, no matter where you are. It will not only share the uploaded material with friends to practice. All foreign language fun and addictive at boards and find answers from subject prepare yourself in advance. All your save all your ideas, notes or clipped pages but you can also the information stored on cloud and users can connect the same time. Another good feature matter experts. Another interesting data will be stored on cloud and invite anyone to collaborate on whatever is on your mind. By with others students who are learning the same subject is this app use in lesson grading feature is you can also make some you can even work offline and sync allowing users to store a note using voice memos, photos, and test their knowledge. For a modern student’s arsenal, and you can see your correct and additional money by renting out your when you’re back online. and more Evernote is your Redeemer if you don’t have time Studyblue is not stand-alone solution but it’s the best app incorrect answers while testing. own books to other app users. for typing. Without doubt Evernote is the platform where if you want to store your study materials digitally. you can collect and organize material efficiently and get it Hammad Anwer is the head of digital marketing for Academia Magazine with an experience back whenever you need it. of over 10 years’ of handling digital space for national and international organizations. He can be reached at [email protected].

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 42 43 2019 | iNSIGHT | | iNSIGHT |

he aviation management. PAF Karachi Institute of assisting youngsters to become first-class pilots or industry has Youngsters with a keen Economics and Technology pursue a successful career in non-flight management witnessed a interest in aviation studies (KIET), Karachi or flight operations. formidable are introduced to the PAF Karachi Institute of Tgrowth in the aviation milieu through these Economics and Technology (KIET) recent years, with more professional and training was established in 1997 and ranks universities offering courses, allowing them to Sky among the eight best universities undergraduate and graduate learn the art of flying with in the Business and IT category by degree programmes in hands-on experience in flight the Higher Education Commission different arenas of aviation and airport operations. of Pakistan (HEC). KIET has been management and sciences. Since you are reading granted accreditation by the National An increasing number of this, you are quite obviously Is Computing Education Accreditation youngsters in Pakistan interested in aviation studies. Council (NCEAC) and offers graduate are turning to universities So if you happen to be on the and undergraduate degree programs offering specialisations and lookout for the top university in aviation management and avionics, professional training courses to study aviation sciences, in aviation management, following are the leading The avionics, aerospace universities in Pakistan sciences and air transport offering this discipline. Limit University of Management and Technology, Lahore Institute Of Aviation And Technology, UMT offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of aviation management, aircraft maintenance engineering technology and air transport management. IAS UMT offers graduate degree programs in aviation sciences in collaboration with the Turkish Aviation Academy, at Istanbul, Turkey and is among the leading universities in Pakistan approved by International air transport association The University Of Lahore, Pakistan Nursing Council, and Pharmacy Council (IATA). The university operates a sub-campus of IAS at the IAS Lahore of Pakistan. Lahore School of Aviation, UOL offers Walton airport under the title of “Walton Aviation Training acquired The University of Lahore was established in 1999, undergraduate degree programs in the disciplines School” which provides hands-on experience and training an FAA, under the IBADAT Educational Trust. The university of aviation management and Aircraft Maintenance programs toa aspiring pilots in the country. Moreover, EASA&PCAA- is located in the suburbs of Lahore and was granted Technology which are taught by experienced faculty in 2013 a flight simulator, with a mock-up of aircraft approved degree awarding status in 2002. UOL is accredited by members including senior airline professionals, foreign- Cessna-172, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) were bought by the flight the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Bar trained aviation professors, and retired Pakistan air force school as training devices. simulator, Council, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), instructors. IAS is authorized by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority with motion (PCAA) for conducting ground courses for Private Pilot from USA License/Commercial Pilot, ground courses for Private Pilot in 2017 and License/Commercial Pilot License/Instrument Rating/ installed at Airlines Transport Pilot License (PPL/CPL/IR/ATPL), ground the Walton Aviation Training School, Walton Airport which courses for Flight Operation Officer/Flight Despatcher and provides up to 30hrs of log able flying training for pilots i.e. English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) for pilots. PPL/CPL/IR/ATPL.

Islamabad. The university falls in the public sector category and offers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees in the disciplines of avionics engineering, aerospace sciences and strategic studies and aviation management. The university currently ranks among the top ten universities in the category of Engineering and Technology by the Higher Education Superior University, Lahore including the University of Newcastle, Concordia Commission of Pakistan (HEC) and is accredited by University Wisconsin, and the University of Cumbria. the Pakistan Engineering Council. The varsity is also Superior University was established in 2000 and is The faculty of engineering and technology, Superior a member of the Association of Commonwealth one of the leading higher education institutes of the University offers undergraduate degree programs in Air University, Islamabad Universities of the United Kingdom and International country. The university is chartered with the government Avionic engineering and Aviation technology, providing Air University was established in 2002 by the Association of Universities. of Punjab and holds international affiliations and young aspiring pilots with much needed skill-set and Pakistan Air Force and is located in the suburbs of partnerships with prestigious international universities experience to excel in the aviation industry.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 44 45 2019

| WASHINGTON TALK | | WASHINGTON TALK |

Allegedly President Trump expressed his concern regarding Chinese students as he believed ‘almost Rana Fawad every’ one of those Chinese students studying in the US International was a spy

Information System (SEVIS) Chinese students students comprised 32.5 percent of turn away from the total 1.08 million international students in the 2016-17 school year (a total of 350,755 Chinese students were enrolled in US). Although the US administration claimed that during 2017-18 the number of international students increased by 1.5 percent (1.1 million) than the previous year, the fact is that number declined by 6.6 percent. The problem with the US administration’s claims is the way it counted ‘new’ students. The official claim included new as well as continuing students. In reality, enrollment of ‘new’ students was around 272,000 which is close to 10 percent down from a high point of 301,000 in 2015-16. or the past couple of International education experts doing so in response to American for international students in the As recently as 2017, international students’ years enrollment of see a new reality emerging out of sanctions? What if Canada would US. This trend affects their financial international students international politics that might offend the Indian government? All health directly. The US colleges and arrival contributed $42.4 billion to the in the US is declining. shuffle students’ destinations in possible, although it looks like the universities rely on international United States economy. No wonder the Many critics attribute the coming years. Writing for Inside most significant political actions to students for their budgets, but it this negative trend Higher Ed’s “World Views” blog, affect international student flows appears they have started expecting country could boast of being the top to President Donald Hans deWit, the director of Boston have been taken by the governments a lot more than those students can destination for international students Trump’s ascension to College’s Center for International – the US and the UK -- that receive afford to pay. power.F His ‘America First’ rhetoric, his Higher Education, and Philip G the greatest economic benefits from A Pakistani-American PhD scholar, followed by the United Kingdom. The attempt to impose a ‘Muslim ban’ on Altbach, a research professor and mobility. The key message from Ans Irfan, at George Washington prestigious US educational universities seven Muslim-majority countries, and his founding director of the center, say all of this is politics play a crucial University points to yet another criticism of China. Allegedly President they “are convinced that we are and increasingly volatile role in possible reason: online courses. He and colleges attract students from all over Trump expressed his concern regarding now in an era of global instability in international higher education.” thinks many international students the globe. However, the latest data shows Chinese students as he believed ‘almost international higher education and Preston Cooper of Forbes can access online courses and every’ one of those Chinese students that the certainties and truisms of the presents a different perspective. He graduate without leaving their a worrying trend for these institutions. studying in the US was a spy. Half of the past are no longer applicable. What, believes price hike in tuition fee for country of origin. The country seems to be losing the international students in the US come for example, would be the fallout of international students coming to the Rana Fawad is an educationist from China and India. China blocking the study of Chinese United States may also be a culprit. and senior journalist based in magnetism that worked for years. According to US government’s nationals in the United States as Students from foreign countries Washington DC, USA. He can be Student and Exchange Visitor part of the trade war, or Russia’s have seen a steady rise in tuition reached at [email protected].

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 48 49 2019 | FEATURE | | FEATURE |

Arsalan Haider Learning Chinese, Russian Imtiaz ul Haq, Russian instructor Chinese language class in progress at TEVTA

the new fad He also informed that after “A group of 15 students is learning completing this course from TEVTA, Russian language for three months. The time has gone when youngsters looked at learning English language people are getting jobs of minimum This is the best time for Russia and as a key to success in life. Pakistani youth has discovered a fondness for Rs 30,000, which is a good salary for Pakistan to take mutual friendship to starters. In future these starters will new heights,” the consul said. learning Chinese and Russian languages. be able to get salaries of more than “Russia has always supported Rs 50,000, he said. Pakistan’s stance at international The Government College University forums like United Nations and on akistan’s relations other foreign languages,” Chief (GCU) is also offering Chinese getting membership of Shanghai have been Operating Officer TEVTA Punjab Language Course and established Cooperation Organization (SCO). cemented further CPEC is bringing Akhtar Abbas Bharwana told Center for Excellence in China There is much potential between with China and Academia Magazine. Studies. Prof Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt both countries to bolster bilateral Akhtar Abbas Bharwana COO TEVTA Russia in recent more than 40,000 “The course currently and in future who chaired the center before his ties in tourism, sports, medicine and years. The country is jobs of Chinese will help Pakistani youth to avail retirement said GCU is holding two engineering, as well as defence,” he relationship and cooperation working with both interpreters in the more and more opportunities in the sessions a year for Chinese Language said. between Pakistan and Russia, he China and Russia CPEC projects. This was the basic class. “GCU is striving to promote the Honorary Consul said that said Pakistani youth and bureaucrats inP many sectors and in the coming country. motive behind starting this course,” Chinese and Pakistani languages, recently Pakistan relaxed visa policy must learn the Russian language to years, the engagement is expected to Bharwana explained so our youngsters can benefit from for Russian people, especially for cope with the future challenges. increase and this would create many Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Talking about prospects of the CPEC which is said to be a game traders and businessmen. “Pakistan A student of Russian language new job opportunities, especially for Punjab has the largest share in Chinese language course, Bharwana is looking forward to Free Trade Faizan observed that he is learning interpreters. teaching Chinese Language among said TEVTA has set a target to Agreement with Russia to improve the Russian language because With China, the start of China masses against low fee. TEVTA has train Chinese language to 50,000 the trade ties between both he wants to pursue and explore Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) taught the language free of cost for students across the province. “CPEC countries,” he said. opportunities in Russia. “The free of projects were the major reason that around one-and-a-half year. is bringing more than 40,000 jobs of Pakistani youth Chief Editor of English and Russian cost Russian language course offered youngsters started learning the Currently, TEVTA is conducting Chinese interpreters in the country. and bureaucrats news agency DND Agha Iqrar Haroon by Russian consulate in Lahore Chinese language. Chinese Language classes in 10 This number will increase with the must learn Russian said Russian language is understood, would bridge the ties between both On the other hand, the strategic districts of Punjab. So far, more than passage of time. TEVTA has prepared read and written in the former Soviet countries to understand each other’s relationship between Pakistan and 5,000 students have learnt Chinese a roadmap for coping with job language to cope Union. “The new concept of EuroAsia cultures and build relations,” he said. Russia has reached new heights Language from TEVTA institutes opportunities of Chinese language with the future has emerged which started from in the last few years. After these interpreters,” he said. challenges. Pakistan and Eastern Europe. Arsalan Haider is Editor strategic partnerships, an interest “After the announcement of CPEC The chief operating officer “Azarbaijan, Uzbekestan and Reporting of Academia Magazine. among the students was observed. projects and later when the work observed that there are many private Ukraine all are gateways of EuroAsian Prior to joining Academia he has Chinese language is being taught on these projects started, people and public sector organizations that changer in the region,” Dr Khalid said. belt and are all are Russian speaking. worked with leading national by number of institutes, universities, began to learn Chinese language. offer Chinese language learning Honorary Consul of Russian While coping with this new dailies. He can be reached at private and government educational They knew it would give them job course. “TEVTA’s course is completely Federation in Lahore Habib Ahmed concept Russian Language has its arsalan.haider@academiamag. institutions and some private opportunities. The students now different. The Chinese instructors has started Russian language significance,” he said. com and on twitter @ companies. Technical Education and prefer Chinese over English and ensure quality of education, he said. learningcourse. Talking about strategic arsalanhaider14.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 50 51 2019 | VIEW POINT | | VIEW POINT |

RIAZ UL HAQ

Understanding Banuri’s vision for change Riazul Haqsat down with HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri to discuss the challenges and the change we should expect in the higher education sector in the near future

he Higher Education Commission (HEC) caters to the needs of and the regulating body that oversees higher education sector in the country. Since its inception in 2002, the commission has so far seen four men in the driving seat, with each facing its own set of challenges and each achieving success of varying forms. From extensive funding to financial crunches andT from absolute hegemony over higher education to continued bickering with federating units (Sindh and Punjab) over jurisdiction, the HEC has come a long way in becoming a federal organizationthat is working to align university education in the country with international standards and practices. In an exclusive interview with incumbent HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri, The Academia Mag discussed the challenges he has faced during his seven months in office, as well as the new developments in the higher education sector. Clear-headed, composed and serene, Banuri has spent most of his recent years teaching at University of Utah, apart from being actively involved in Pakistan’s development sector. He applied for the post keeping issues and challenges of higher education sector back

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 52 53 2019 | VIEW POINT | | VIEW POINT | home in mind and got selected in step was to begin meeting the results from such research,”Banuri remain relevant or should provinces of the amount spent as per the surety “Punjab Information Technology April 2018 as the fourth chairperson required standards. explained. be allowed to take leading role in bonds signed by him/her and per Board is working on the portal and of the HEC after Dr Attaur Rehman, Research The HEC chief said he was also managing higher education? rules of procedure. we will make it functionalhopefully Dr Javed Laghari and Dr Mukhtar Shedding light on the research focusing on the global trend of The chairperson has a clear view “I want to rationalize it.We do not within a month,” he said. Ahmed. culture in Pakistan, Banauri said going GLOCAL– global perspective on the issue and seems to back HEC’s want to bother them to leave their Plagiarism Banuri knows what he is doing and HEC had been doling out funds for local issues. “HEC wants to create long-term existence. “For regularity jobs and return home to serve the Recently, HEC was rocked by high that which needs to be done; and the to conduct research for 15 years, a local research fund so that we purposes, capacity building, and five years, but they have to support profile cases of plagiarism involving arrival of new government has only but it never questioned what the can specifically work on the local financing a federal body is present someone who can study abroad from two of its former chairpersons, added to his energy and vigor. institutions were up to in those issues. For example a varsity in Dera and that is HEC. It is an equitable executive director and a senior The chairperson is mainly focusing researches. “When I asked them as Ghazi Khan should help the locals of way of running a system that is also official. Though the validity of on making things right that have to what have we achieved so far, the that area on issues of water usage, representative of every province accusations is up for debate, it been ignored long enough to answers were hardly satisfactory. agriculture, sewerage floods etc. and backward areas.HEC has a nonetheless made HEC a laughing go wrong. His area of particular However, at the same time,there are An announcement will be made governing body of 18 members and stock. interest include the booming and many institutions in Pakistanthat are soon about the fund, with the major representatives of four provinces. All Tired of the mudslinging, the oft unregulated private sector involved in good research.” aim that such backward areas the decisions are taken in agreement chairman wants a new method of institutions, violations of the law by The HEC chairman was of the can compete with others with this with the federal as well as provincial investigating high profile cases in the incentive system.” governments.” future.He, however, has a different “Secondly, a support system “I have met HEC Sindh chief Dr view about the cases of past. would also be established with Asim and Punjab HEC’s former “About 50% of the existing faculty HEC has made a job portal for unemployed research centre(s) to guide how chairman Dr Nizamuddin. We have in the country has not been through PhDs and besides there will be portal for all to do qualitative research and agreed that issues would be resolved the system of plagiarism policy which the academic jobs in Pakistan very soon motivate people for conducting more amicably and federal HEC would be came into being in 2000. The new meaningful research,”Banurisaid. strengthened,” Banuri said. generation knows this about this Autonomy He said provincial governments epidemic.They know that plagiarism stakeholders in the sector, improving Since assuming the charge, Dr were completely within their limits is a crime and work must be done to the quality of research and make the Banuri has been quite vocal about if they wanted to do something avoid it.” higher education sector competitive giving autonomy to universities. “It additional for the higher education in the face of modern demands and would not be a one-off step but a in their area. Although he did offer a challenges. gradual process – a pathway towards warning. “The claim that we can live “One of the urgent problems I had autonomy.I talked to vice chancellors like islands after the 18thAmendment Currently over 400 scholars abroad have not to address (right after my arrival) was about the way forward. We discussed will never be true because it is a returned to Pakistan and owe fine of millions that a number of universities had milestones and then following their matter of our children’s future.” of rupees violated the standards set by HEC. performance to give them gradual PhDs None of the standards are difficult or autonomy in compliance with the set HEC has been facing serious impossible for universities to meet,” standards.” challenges in roping in fresh PhD Pakistan,”the HEC chairman added. He envisions that by 2035, Banuri said. “A review and inspection system scholars it funds in and outside the While some have absconded everyone will come from a “whole Explaining the issue, he said will follow if a new programme or country. Currently over 400 scholars abroad, others in Pakistan have been new system”. “I am not worried about there were certain measures, for project is launched in that particular abroad have not returned to Pakistan criticizing HEC for not ensuring jobs the top management (which is ruling example the number of classrooms university to keep tabs for next level and owe millions of rupees against to PhD scholars at public universities. the roost) but the new generation a university has. “If it’s a technical approval,” he explained. the amount they availed during their Under the programme Interim which will be taking charge in future,” subject (we need to ensure that) Banuri added that autonomy degree programmes. Placement for Fresh PhDs (IPFP), he said. you should have the laboratories, would be given to universities already Banuri has a different view about the HEC appoints PhDs in different Banuri plans to setup a committee you have to have to have a library having excellent credentials in treating such “absconding scholars” universities for a year, besides paying to investigate cases of plagiarism to and some space as well. These are view that there was no yardstick to public sector and the same would and says instead of hounding them their salaries and then eventually the avoid biased outcomes, as was the minimum measures to meet. And measure the quality of research in be withdrawn if the performance with letters of fines and compliance, universities hire them permanently; case in the past. “The committee will if somebody says they cannot meet the country at the moment, except became poor. the outstanding payments should be on paper at least. have a proper structure and it will be these requirements they should not that whether it waspublished in local “I think that is a responsible converted into loan(s). However, many PhDs have still activated at the university level,”he be in the business of education,” the or international research journal(s). way of moving towards autonomy. “We spent money on you and you been protesting after one year that added. HEC chairman maintained. Commenting on the research Hopefully within a month or so owe service to the country, if not then they are not getting employed. Chairman Banuri has four years to Banuri said nobody would practice, he said HEC would be we will move down this path. Five sponsor someone back home instead Banuri said HEC had made a job work on his goals.Only time will tell get an NOC prior to starting changing the funding criteria for varsities and other institutions will be of paying that amount in one go,” the portal for such PhDs. Besides there how he fares in overcoming problems students’enrollment because research. “We are working on various given autonomy if they meet all the HEC chairman maintained. would a portal for all academic jobs and achieving the feats that he is “nothing should be done in aspects for improvement, like requirements,” Banuri said. Currently, any scholar who in Pakistan very soon. aiming for. anticipation as education is a serious areas of emerging challenges and 18th Amendment graduates through HEC scholarship “Apart from that, we will remove all business”. channelizing money to research Amidst the recent concerns being has to return to the country and obstacles in way of their recruitment, Riazul Haq is a senior journalist He said he did not expect Pakistani in areas like water, energy and voiced about devolution and 18th spend five yearsof service in including capacity building through based in Islamabad. He can be institutions to become Oxford and environment. Then we will be looking Amendment, the role of HEC has also Pakistan. However, absconding the workshops and get the issue resolved reached at riazulhaq86@gamil. Cambridge overnight, but the first to create a system to take the desired come into question. Should it still scholarshave to pay about 25% fine at the earliest,” Banuri added. com and on twitter @riazhaq.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 54 55 2019 | RENDEZVOUS | | RENDEZVOUS |

“I don’t believe in nepotism and outside of my ambit,” he said. I will not support any appointment “In the private sector market violating merit in public universities. forces ensure to take the right set of Only the universities Dr Attur Rehman will lead the search decisions,” Hamayun was of the view. that ensure high- committee and will recommend the “Due to the private sector, the best possible choices for public sector competition has increased after quality education universities,” Hamayun said. which only those universities will standards are going “I don’t believe in survive that will ensure high-quality micromanagement. If I want education standards,” the minister Faizan Warraich to survive to transform the Punjab Higher explained. Education Commission than its head “The biggest challenge of higher PHEC must be competent,” he said. education ministry is budget. We The minister assured that PTI don’t have money to execute policies. for this purpose but failed to find government will not appoint I believe that inviting private sector suitable place. Three institutes will any incompetent person, as vice- would drive money in the ministry. be established soon at Lahore, chancellors at leading public sector However, there is another challenge Murree and Southern Punjab and universities or head of departments which is transparency, particularly foreign faculty will teach and train at institutes affiliated with the Punjab during the initiation of public-private As Pakistan’s youth bulge grows larger, students about research. Also new Higher Education Ministry. partnership,” he said. techniques for learning and training He denied that there were any The Academia Magazine asked the provision of quality higher education is would be incorporated in these differences between PHEC and HEC. minister about his constituency PP Raja becoming increasingly important for the institutes. The two years bachelor’s “The HEC will decide the course of 21, where he secured 77,000 votes degree programme (private) will be action and PHEC will implement it. All against his opponent and how he country. Raja Yassir Humayun is the man replaced with the four-year bachelor’s matters have been resolved,” he said. will work for the people of his district. Yassir’s Punjab government has nominated for degree programme,” the minister VC Hunt He said that he wants to establish a maintained. Academia Magazine asked the top-class university inChakwal. “Even improving this vital segment of education. “None of our university is in the minister about the appointment of in America the university town is strategic Faizan Warraich finds out what the minister top 100 universities of the world, so vice chancellors in Punjab’s public established around cities which were there will be a focus on bringing our sector universities and the criterions rich in natural beauties. I have this is planning in this respect. varsities in the top 100,” he added. that would be followed for filling thing in my mind since 2013 that a initiatives “There will be a ranked university in these vacant seats. The minister top rank university in Chakwal can be each division which will primarily be said Punjab had inherited the KPK responsible for colleges affiliation in Model, but with some changes, cademia main task was to make a blueprint for said. the respective division. Moreover, sub- as Punjab had a totally different magazine in the next five years. Talking about the appointment campuses at the district level will soon operational order. “The current model The government conversation The minister said his ministry of vice chancellors in 14 universities be converted into universities and is completely objective in its practices wants to set up with Punjab worked on nine key initiatives. “These across the province, the minister said community colleges of each district for appointing the VCs. Higher Education key strategic initiatives include the new government has reformed will be affiliated with the district level “Luckily, most of the seats of public higher education Minister Raja developing a higher education policy the selection criteria’s formulated universities,” Hamayun said. universities are vacant and I am not in management, YasirHamayun for Punjab, transparency and good by the previous government and While emphasising the need favour of removing people just on the research and discussed the governance, setting-up of higher research committees would be of promoting sports and healthy basis of political affiliations. I will not learning institutes governmentA plan to deal with the education management, research finalized soon, after which the process activities among youth, he said five oppose the appointments that are up issues confronting the education and learning institutes, modernization of appointment would initiate. sports leagues were introduced to the mark,” he added. in different parts of ecosystem. and rationalization of the legal Within two months, VCs of these 14 for both private and public sector He said he was against the mind Punjab In an exclusive interview with the framework for higher education varsities will be appointed. Interviews universities and colleges. set to remove people because of Academia Magazine Raja Yasir talked sector, college sector reforms, for the appointment of principals at The minister said this plan was personal or political affiliations and about the current situation of the strengthening/establishment of different colleges and for heading inspired by American universities wanted high-quality work, along higher education sector in Punjab, universities, curriculum reform, sports Board of Intermediate and Secondary who encourage youngsters to keep with sheer determination for reforms different initiatives being taken by leagues in universities and colleges Education (BISE) are also being themselves fit and healthy. from the staff and heads of the established which could potentially government, planning and policy as well as revamping of the student conducted in a transparent manner,” No To Nepotism department. attract students from all over the implementation with regard to assistance systems,” Yasir explained. he said. While sharing the problems and The minister said he was realistic province and country,” he said. appointment of vice chancellors in Yasir said the first thing his ministry Management issues faced by the Punjab Higher in his philosophy and believed that different public-sector universities wanted to do was to develop a higher Talking about a new initiative, he Education Department, he said the those who support Pakistan Muslim Faizan Ali Warraich is a and issues faced by Punjab Higher education policy. “This policy will be said the government wanted to set Ministry has established a ‘Search League are also Pakistanis.We will not contributor and journalist Education Commission (PHEC). presented in the cabinet very soon up higher education management, committee’ to explore and dig out oppose them just because of their covering education and science While talking about the most after consultation and feedback from research and learning institutes in the most suitable and competent political affiliations. We only demand beats. He can be reached at hyped agenda of the PTI government, all education stakeholders including different parts of Punjab. “We tried vice chancellors for public sector dedication and work in a timely [email protected] and Raja Yasir was of the view that the the academia and other experts,” he to search for a government building universities. manner. I don’t believe in working on twitter @faizanwarraichh.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 56 57 2019

| iNTERVIEW | | iNTERVIEW |

EMANUEL SARFRAZ Chinoy’s secret of success Emanuel Sarfraz talks to celebrated documentary maker and journalist Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy about what motivates her to take up challenging projects.

ilmmaker Sharmeen do you feel? Obaid Chinoy in The three characters have delighted the last eight years the viewers and taken them on has worked on a lot adventures. They have shown them of out of box ideas how good triumphs over evil and and came up with taught them important lessons. amazing results. She The greatest thing for me is when is an activist to the people come to me and say thank Fcore of her heart. She has won two you for making 3 Bahadur and Academy Awards and six Emmy thank you for making heroes. The Awards. Time magazine named writer Kamran Khan is person who her among the 100 most influential put all of this together. people in the world. In an exclusive interview with Academia Magazine 3 Bahadur series has been very she talks about her projects and inspiring. Unfortunately it could how she has managed to highlight be screened in only 50 cinemas. Is issues. Following are excerpts of the there any plan to increase its scope interview: that it may reach target audience, which is young people especially Amna, Kamil and Saadi are now in rural areas and small towns? household names for children who For the last two years we have a have been watching full length mobile cinema that goes from The education that you get in the premier animated feature film 3 Bahadur one town to another and to small institutions of UK and USA is very hard to series. They are your babies who villages across Pakistan to show our find in the institutions of Pakistan. It has have grown up and matured. How films. We have perticularly focused to do with the fact that that we do not have research grants for professors APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 60 61 2019 | iNTERVIEW | | iNTERVIEW | on Thar, KPK or remote areas of Traditional models of revenue have enough PhD qualified professors Balochistan. been jeopardized. Across the world teaching at that university. there is rise of right wing governments Education and the way they teach Could you explain the structure of who do not want to have critical is very important. There are some your production team for 3 Bahadur… analysis. They would rather imprison or institutions in Pakistan that are doing The basic structure of the team is that abduct journalists. It is not easy being a well but you can count them in your Look at the amount I am the creative director. Kamran journalist in the world of today. hands. The rest of them do not have of work I have Khan is head of productions. Salman enough solid foundation to impart done in the last 12 is our art director. Then we have teams You have studied in institutions education. of people for different tasks. We are like Stanford in USA. How do you months and the in partnership with a number of compare the education there with Your stress has been a lot on women credit goes to me musicians. the institutions here considering the empowerment. We still have a long and my team. I am fact that in recent years there has way to go but are we moving in the Many young people are interested in been mushroom growth in higher right direction? lucky that my work making short animation films. What education sector? We think we are going in the right gets recognized is your advice for those who want to I don’t think that quantity is direction. We take one enter this field? important. It always is the step forward and Animation is a difficult industry to get quality. The education steps backward. into because there are a lot of barriers. that you get in the Young people It is machine based and requires a premier institutions want lot of investment in servers. I would of UK and USA is change. struggling for their rights. There is lot business. They have not been taught. I am working on a lot of social justice recommend joint teams to first see very hard to find They are of push and pull factor that is taking issues. I am an activist and always how the work is done. Only when they in the institutions asking place right now. I am hopeful that we Establishing linkages with am working on some issue. I have fully understand it they should venture of Pakistan. It for their will have many wins and less losses in institutions and people of different a new series called ‘Agahee’. It is on their own. has to do with rights. the coming years. That means we have countries is important for a journalist creating awareness about domestic the fact that that They to continue to struggle. and filmmaker like you. How can one violence, interfaith harmony and You have been showcasing real life we do not have are build a good network? women rights. Look at the amount heroes of Pakistan like the females research grants for How can we rope in the new net I work very hard. I make a lot of films. of work I have done in the last 12 working in anti-terrorist squad. How professors. We do generation in realizing the important months and the credit goes to me do you find these heroes? not have tenures issues at hand? and my team. I am lucky that my We have a research team that finds for professors We are a country that has limited work gets recognized. these stories. Then we figure out how at most resources. Our exports are falling. Our to engage these people and the best universities. population is increasing. Millions of our What are the projects in pipeline? way to tell their story. Pakistan is full of With so many young people have to struggle to find We are coming up with another ordinary heroes who need to become universities jobs. They have to struggle to making animated film in summer this year. extraordinary. coming up a living for themselves. We have to be Then there is another animated film what really more creative to survive. for children. We are coming up with As a journalist and activist what is the five part international series, which has is your take on the current state question As a journalist what are your views been filmed in Georgia and Pakistan. of media industry? This is very as who about the content of packages being Sharmeen Obaid has achieved a important considering there are are shown by our TV news channels? lot in the last seven years of her life. hundreds of students from different There are some very credible After the interview she said she may universities who want to enter media organizations and journalists in the write a book and find ways to help as journalists, anchors and people teaching country. We need provide peoper improve the education sector in handling circulation and marketing? there. education and training to new Pakistan. Her entry into the education The journalism across the globe is Do we journalists. They have also to be taught sector to create awareness about facing crisis. Newspapers are shutting have journalism ethics. It is not the fault various challenging issues would be a down and TV channels are struggling. of vast majority of people in news welcome sign.

Emanuel Sarfraz is Managing Editor of Academia Magazine. He has over two decades of experience Animation is a difficult industry to get into in journalism and has worked at top slots in different national and because there are a lot of barriers. It is machine international newspapers. He can be based and requires a lot of investment in reached at managing. servers. I would recommend joint teams to first [email protected] and on see how the work is done twitter @EmanuelSarfraz.

APR www.academiamag.com www.academiamag.com APR 2019 62 63 2019 | SYDNEY CALLING | | SYDNEY CALLING |

NIDA TAHSEEN DESTINATION Australia Do you think you are ready for your stay in Australia as a student? Nida Tahseen offers a first-hand account of what to expect of Australia as a student and the dos and don’ts of life down under.

students making compromises on or the past 33 years, some type of goal, our natural expenses may include food, rent, their priorities, lifestyle, health and I have looked in the behaviour starts to copy majority of telephone, transport, utility bills and unfortunately happiness in pursuit of Once you know what your strengths, mirror every morning people. Since we are not fine-tuned leisure. There is one more cost, which making money to pay for their studies. and asked myself: If with what we really want and what takes up a big part of the budget for Generally, you are not allowed to character, value system, dreams and exact today were the last we are doing, frustration and failure most students – the course fee. For work more than 40 hours fortnightly outcomes are, your journey as an international day of my life, would I kicks in. This is exactly where I do not your chosen course, the fee can go on a student visa unless you are student in Australia will become quite want to do what I am wish to see any international student anywhere from AUD$ 10,000 to AUD$ on holidays. Considering this fact, about to do today? in Australia. 90,000 for the whole duration though it is extremely hard to pay off your interesting AFnd whenever the answer has been To uncover the real YOU, you must first the cost highly depends on the course fee all by yourself. If possible, ‘NO’ for too many days in a row, I know be ready to act in complete honesty educational institution you choose. applying for an educational loan in I need to change something,” Steve with yourself. Talk to the person in I see thousands of international your home country is a great idea to Jobs, Founder of Apple. the mirror and ask these questions: fund your studies in Australia or apply Somewhere deep down in our What kind of individual am I?, What to universities that offer scholarships hearts, we all have a dream. For most are my beliefs and value system?, to international students. There are people, it stays alive in its core, but on What motivates me?, What are my The truth is that few universities that offer scholarship the surface it starts to die with every strengths?, and What do I really want our environment at undergraduate or graduate level. passing day. Whatever the case is, one to learn from Australia? Most of the scholarships are for thing is sure that over a certain period Once you know what your strengths, influences us postgraduate research like Endeavour of time and age in our lives, some character, value system, dreams and all the time Awards, Australia Award Scholarships, amount of confusion creeps in and exact outcomes are, your journey as an subconsciously and International Postgraduate Research our minds gets clouded. The truth is international student in Australia will Scholarships and then scholarships that our environment influences us all become quite interesting. But once this happens due from different universities and their the time subconsciously. This happens you have made a decision to come to to the continuous respective departments. due to continuous conditioning from Australia, it is crucial to have financial conditioning from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the society and people around us considerations because they play a Canberra and Adelaide are the most over a long period of time. We start huge role in your daily lifestyle and society and people liveable cities for Pakistani students to forget what we want what really mental health. You must carry out around us over a because these cities have relatively makes us happy. We start chasing all the research in figuring out your long period of time higher percentage of international things we do not really want but just financial implications in Australia as an students particularly from South Asia. because everybody else is chasing international student. Your recurring They are multicultural and offers a

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wide range of cuisines. But, we have to accept that feeling homesick is perfectly natural and being in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Australia or in any western country Adelaide are the most liveable cities for for the first time can be exciting and overwhelming at the same Pakistani students because these cities have time. Emotional ups and downs are relatively higher percentage of international bound to happen. There are a few students, particularly from South Asia actions you can take to stay strong and emotionally stable. Be prepared to face and embrace the change, read stories and research about the people who had moved to Australia in the past and have now established themselves, last but not least, express yourself, share your thoughts with others. Let me share a few tips that I practice to feel at home in Australia. I participate and attend community festivals and functions, this is will new connections and friends. Visit as many places as you can and explore the popular destinations and landmarks. Other than that there are plenty of places with free and discounted entry prices that you can go to including So embrace the change, avoid staying curriculum. And finally, don’t give up, parks, museums, eateries, art galleries, indoors all the time, read more your journey has only begun. flea markets etc. books, try different cuisines, tune into Another truth is that when you master local radio to get acquainted with Nida Tahseen is an educationist and the English language or become culture and lifestyle, involve yourself journalist based in Sydney, Australia. more fluent in speaking the local in university clubs, student activities She can be reached at nida. language, you start feeling a sense of and extracurricular groups at your [email protected] and on twitter belonging in your adopted country. university, educate yourself beyond @nida_tahseen.

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