Scope & Importance of Research in Pakistan: A Critical Analysis
It is an established fact that in 21st century, countries can't progress and sustain prosperity without quality research in different professional fields and walks of daily life. In this regard, universities and other research organisations play a very significant role. It is important to understand that the role of universities is not merely limited to award degrees only, rather producing research individuals in different fields alongside imparting quality education.
Over the past 77 years, Pakistan's universities have struggled to make significant advancements in global rankings including lacking international recognition due to poor performance in research numbers and publications.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 encompass 1,906 universities worldwide, yet Pakistani universities remain conspicuously absent from this list. The rankings are determined by the WUR 3.0 methodology, evaluating institutions based on teaching quality, research environment, research caliber, industry engagement, and international outreach.
Unfortunately, Pakistan's universities have not fared well in these criteria, reflecting the need for substantial improvements in research and academic standards. Despite these challenges, the scope and importance of research in Pakistan cannot be understated.
It serves as a crucial pillar for national development, innovation, and global competitiveness. Thus, enhancing indigenous research capabilities and fostering a culture of academic excellence are imperative for Pakistan's universities to gain international recognition and contribute meaningfully to the global higher education landscape.
In Pakistan's universities landscape, numerous shortcomings mar the higher education system, with a glaring neglect of research standing out as a fundamental concern. Many scholars engage in research solely to advance their careers or secure positions within academic institutions. Regrettably, governmental bodies like the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan fail to provide adequate research grants, exacerbating the problem.
Moreover, policymakers often overlook the invaluable contributions of research scholars when formulating policy documents, perpetuating a cycle of neglect. Consequently, Pakistan grapples with a dearth of localized research across vital domains such as agriculture, irrigation, climate change, environmental education, healthcare, renewable sources of energy, medicine, pure sciences, technology, education quality, poverty alleviation, socioeconomic prosperity, political sciences, technical and vocational education, mines and minerals, human rights, civic life, trade and commerce, and the efficacy of public sector entities.
In Pakistan, a nation with over 250 million people and a literacy rate of approximately 62%, only about 0.5% of the population is actively engaged in research, directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, due to the lack of emphasis placed on research, there are no any internationally recognized research journals originating from Pakistani universities as well as Higher Education Commission. On the other hand, many public and private sector universities inside Pakistan lack research experts in academia. In fact, many public and private sector universities even run academia through teaching assistants, visiting faculty, and non-permanent professionals.
Consequently, the research community depends heavily on the work of foreign scholars. In Pakistan, there is a prevailing sentiment where aspiring researchers do not aspire to contribute significantly to academia or gain respect within society. In fact, unlike many regional emerging nations including China, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Russia, research is not one of the forefront priorities of Pakistani nation.
For Pakistan's universities to enhance their international rankings, there must be a significant emphasis on research. This entails recognizing the value of research both domestically and globally. The Higher Education Commission should take the lead in fostering research initiatives across various disciplines and urging universities to prioritize research skills over simply conferring degrees. Additionally, both public and private sector universities must be bound to award degrees on the basis of research participation criteria rather just taking semester system exams.
The realm of research therefore holds immense potential and warrants dedicated attention. Elevating the standard of education in Pakistan hinges on acknowledging the pivotal role of research across all domains. Additionally, government authorities should prioritize research endeavours instead of resorting to superficial measures, ensuring genuine progress rather than mere replication of documents.
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