THE goal of educating young people is to improve their skills, shape their characters and empower them to succeed in all aspects of life. The role of universities is essential in this context. It is a well-known truth that the development of a nation relies on the significant contribution of its young generation. The effectiveness of youngsters’ contribution relies on their ability to maximize learning during their time at university. Therefore, universities should focus on meeting students’ needs, including motivation and a sense of community, to equip them with skills for the modern world. When students can express themselves without fear of rejection, it leads to increased motivation and a sense of belonging. When universities foster an environment that values students’ opinions and contributions, it can lead to individuals who can fully realize their potential in life.
If we interview students from various universities, we will discover that many of them struggle to answer important questions about their future goals due to a lack of confidence fostered by their university experience. Consequently, many university graduates have a distorted perception of their future, accompanied by shattered confidence. Our universities need to create an environment that nurtures students’ confidence and personal growth. Given the rapidly changing educational and job market landscape, universities must foster skills, knowledge and mindsets that enable students to adapt to the modern working environment.
With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and other sophisticated technologies, there is a possibility of technology replacing a significant number of jobs soon. There is a growing mismatch between the skills taught in Pakistani universities and the skills demanded by employers. Unless students enhance their skills, they won’t have a chance in the job market in the coming years. The students will experience alienation in the job market due to minimal career growth prospects.
This highlights another area of vulnerability for university graduates in Pakistan. They are only capable of performing within the scope of their specific qualifications. If there are any changes in demand in their industry, students will be greatly affected by the possibility of receiving lower salaries or, worse, becoming unemployed until they improve their technical and soft skills to enhance their resumes. Therefore, universities should adopt a new approach to teaching essential degree skills, while also introducing mandatory technical courses to enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market. By doing this, students will become less vulnerable and have greater career opportunities. Technical skills are of utmost importance. These skills equip students to handle their professional tasks and personal growth.
When technical skills are combined with university degree courses, students’ creative ability and career prospects can greatly improve. University education in Pakistan fails to uplift women, which is reflected in their marginalized status in society. Society needs women to take a more active role in social, political and economic spheres to become more resilient. Universities in Pakistan have not succeeded in altering perceptions of women’s societal roles. It is vital for university-level education to acknowledge that women can make a positive impact on the social and political landscape and this idea must be embraced.
Pakistan’s university system lacks emphasis on cultivating leadership skills critical for democratic advancement. Consequently, a majority of graduates lack the capacity to effectively address local challenges and contribute positively to societal development. There’s a pressing need for universities to prioritize nurturing problem-solving abilities among students, empowering them to innovate and uplift communities. This shift is essential for driving significant progress and fostering a culture of positive change in the country.
Except for a small number of university students in Pakistan, most struggle to define their goals, pursue a desired career, and find a fulfilling place in society. The reason is that our universities merely operate as machines generating graduates with programmed thinking, unable to break free from monotony. Moreover, these students fail to recognize that goals imposed by others yield no fruitful outcomes, as they continue to follow them without question. Universities have utterly neglected to teach students the crucial skills of goal-setting and perseverance, even when faced with obstacles.
A few universities in Pakistan prioritize the development of students’ critical thinking skills. Our education system lacks the crucial aspect of teaching critical thinking to students. As students start their university journey, the problem worsens as they rely on slides instead of reading good books. Furthermore, the exams administered by universities in Pakistan rarely engage students in exercises that assess their critical thinking abilities. This leads to students lacking this ability and falling behind in their professional paths. Universities in Pakistan require a comprehensive overhaul. Granting degrees to students is pointless if they lack the skills to succeed in both personal and professional realms.
We need a total paradigm shift that includes a curriculum overhaul to align with global standards. Additionally, a large investment is required to upgrade university infrastructure to meet the modern technological demands. Additionally, universities should actively involve students in their learning journey and eradicate the detrimental habit of cramming. We need to seek international collaboration to bring in foreign-qualified teachers for student training.
With the advancements in technology, it is now possible to collaborate with the best human resources globally. It necessitates both determination and financial resources. Moreover, universities should prioritize fostering a culture of research and innovation. Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for students is paramount in universities, and addressing the menace of student victimization is crucial. The ability to actively engage in university activities can have a transformative impact on students’ career trajectories.
Universities cultivate future leaders, scientists, innovators, engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs. If we neglect to provide adequate water, fertilizer, and care to these breeding grounds, the seeds of prosperity will not yield students capable of transforming Pakistan’s future. Today presents an opportunity to enact change and revolutionize our universities, leading to the transformation of Pakistan socially, economically, and politically.
—The writer is Educationist/Commoner (44th common), based in Sargodha.
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