The latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings expose Pakistan’s weak standing in global academia. Despite being the world’s fifth most populous country with 266 institutions recognised by the Higher Education Commission, only 94 universities made it to the THE rankings.
Quaid-i-Azam University was the sole institution in the 401-500 band, while others like the National University of Sciences and Technology and COMSATS Islamabad ranked between 601-800. This underscores a broader crisis — Pakistan’s higher education system is falling short of global academic and research standards, posing challenges for the country’s economic growth.
In leading economies, universities drive innovation and economic growth. Institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford fuel billion-dollar industries and technological breakthroughs. In contrast, many Pakistani universities function as degree mills, failing to equip graduates with marketable skills. The result? A widening gap between academia and industry, exacerbating unemployment and limiting Pakistan’s ability to export skilled manpower to high-demand markets like the US, the European Union, and the Middle East.
Pakistan’s university crisis is rooted in systemic policies that have eroded academic autonomy. The 1984 ban on student unions suppressed critical discourse, making universities vulnerable to ideological interference. Academic freedom dwindled, faculty members resorted to self-censorship, and research quality declined. As a result, Pakistan suffered a brain drain, with its brightest minds seeking opportunities abroad.
Despite being the world’s fifth most populous country with 266 institutions recognised by the Higher Education Commission, only 94 universities made it to the THE rankings
In contrast, regional counterparts like India and Bangladesh preserved student activism and academic freedom. India’s institutes of technology and management have evolved into global powerhouses, while Bangladesh has made strategic investments in digital education and research, surpassing Pakistan in global rankings. Pakistan’s failure to modernise its higher education system has prevented it from capitalising on the global demand for skilled professionals.
The global economy increasingly demands expertise in AI, fintech, and renewable energy. Countries like Germany and India have expanded technical and vocational education to meet these demands. Pakistan, however, remains fixated on outdated four-year degree programmes, neglecting skill-based training that could prepare its workforce for international markets.
The economic consequences are dire. Skilled workers are in high demand in Europe and North America, where relaxed immigration policies are attracting talent. Pakistan could become a major exporter of skilled professionals, boosting remittances and economic stability. Instead, the country lags behind, with graduates struggling to find employment due to outdated curricula and limited practical training.
Universities have become vulnerable to ideological interference, with academic freedom dwindling, declining research quality and faculty members resorting to self-censorship
Unlike leading global institutions that prioritise industry collaborations, Pakistan’s universities remain isolated from market trends. Internship programmes, career counselling, and industry linkages are largely absent, leaving graduates unprepared for the job market. The engineering sector, once a key driver of employment, is witnessing declining enrolments as students shift toward freelancing and business ventures.
Teaching quality has also suffered due to an over-reliance on research associates and visiting faculty. Universities prioritise research publications over effective teaching, further weakening student engagement. Infrastructure deficiencies — outdated libraries, underfunded laboratories, and limited digital resources — hamper research and innovation.
Pakistan’s higher education system requires urgent reforms to bridge the gap between academia and the global job market. Key priorities include modernising curricula to align with global workforce demands by integrating artificial intelligence, fintech, and renewable energy; fostering university-industry partnerships to provide students with practical training and job placements; expanding vocational training through technical diplomas to create alternative career pathways and boost employability; enhancing faculty development by balancing research output with teaching excellence to improve student learning; restoring academic autonomy by reviving student unions and fostering open discourse to encourage critical thinking and leadership; and investing in infrastructure by modernising campuses, expanding digital resources, and upgrading research facilities to ensure global competitiveness.
If decisive action is not taken, Pakistan will continue losing its best talent to countries offering better educational and economic opportunities. A reformed higher education system can transform Pakistan into a hub for skilled manpower, boosting economic growth and increasing global competitiveness. The time for reform is now, before the fading promise of Pakistan’s universities becomes an irreversible reality.
The writer is the Pro Vice-Chancellor at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, March 31st, 2025
