Economics Research Seminar Series 04-2020

Topic: Future of Higher Education in Pakistan

Panellists:
1. Dr Nadeem Ul Haque (VC PIDE, Islamabad)
2. Dr Akbar Zaidi (ED/Dean IBA, Karachi)
3. Dr Zain-Ul-Abdin (DG Research & Development Unit, HEC)
4. Sheeren Noreejo (Civil Servant, Government of Sindh)

Panellists:
Dr Asma Hyder (IBA, Karachi)

Abstract: After two decades of investment in higher education and research, we have a lot to present in terms of number of publications and PhDs but most of the literature produced in our universities in not linked to our local societal issues. Government, industry and political institutions hire expensive international universities and foreign consultants for the solutions of their problems. This practice raises many question marks on Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and also on local universities/ researchers. The ecosystem, which creates the linkages between public/ private sector, government and universities, is still not in place even after 20 years of investment. Universities are more active in physical infrastructure and writing papers on random topics without any thoughtful process. The whole system is leading toward mistrust and broken linkages between institutions and universities.

Date: May 12, 2020
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM