A pathway to internationalization …
Stay resolute on partnerships for excellence
By SAMIULLAH SAMI
The prime objective of internationalization in higher education in Pakistan is achievable only through subject-focused partnership with both Pakistani and the world’s top-ranked universities in compatible and rewarding subjects and disciplines.
A first step in this direction is a globally acceptable policy, based on a two-way-benefit model, which can be chalked out by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Foreign Office and other relevant stakeholders jointly.
Secondly, a special section may be set up in the HEC to promote ‘Study in Pakistan’ with support via university partnerships to raise the number of international students in Pakistan to make it a lovely study destination – as a cherished dream. Massive pouring in of international students would certainly create an environment of competition not only among local universities but also with global counterparts.
Thirdly, a one-window operation to facilitate foreign and top-ranked universities may be initiated by setting up regional campuses in Pakistan. It would not only pave the path to save foreign exchange but also create new revenue generation stream for the universities in the shape of foreign currency.
Fourthly, the foremost step is to make this system a success without any bureaucratic hitches or hassles for which experienced and reputable experts should be deputed for the same in the higher education sector.
Precisely, regional universities having good rankings in desirable subjects should be preferred for collaboration and partnership.
It is suggested to initiate university rankings based on regional, cultural and religious norms of the region in addition to global parameters. It would create a competitive environment among regional universities with more acceptability among masses and enable them to stand apart in the global scenario.
On the other hand, British and American universities are very active in developing partnerships with Pakistani universities followed by Chinese and Malaysian Universities. There are many successful university partnership programmes including the U.S.-Pakistan University Partnerships Grants Program 2020-23, following success of the University Partnership Initiative 2013-2016, through which American universities in 20 partnerships with Pakistani universities received the U.S. government grant to establish three-year bilateral academic relationships.
This programme is being run through USEFP effectively. American universities may extend their research and academic support in the following emerging subjects through this partnership:
- Quantum Mechanism;
- Artificial Intelligence (AI);
- Data Science;
- Robotics;
- Machine Learning;
- Space Sciences
- IT and Software Development;
- Communication and Telecom.
In addition to subject-focus partnership, the global partners may extend their support in the capacity-building and sustainable higher education model.
Following are some of the areas where such partnerships and support is vital.
- Start-ups and entrepreneurships development;
- Establishment of joint business chambers;
- Facilitation in developing a Centre of Excellence;
- Curriculum design and faculty exchange;
- Joint Academic and Cultural Exchanges;
- Market driven joint short and long courses.
It is pertinent to note that majority of the foreign universities are interested in students and faculty exchange partnerships which statistically proved one way traffic and it is rarely the students from other partner universities or country we could be able to attract or even facilitate due to many reasons. However, it is commonly believed by majority of the stakeholders that a lot of has already been done in Delivery Partnerships and There is a dire need to focus on Franchise and physical campus presence with JVs model approach in the country. More students from other countries and establishing of international foreign universities campuses is the need of the hour and a comprehensive integrated one window hassle free system would enable to achieve this target.
Education Scenario International has initiated collaboration in the ‘Study in Pakistan’ Project with the Government of Pakistan (Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training) under this programme; international partnerships among Pakistani and Foreign universities would be developed and a truly internationally acceptable education eco-system would be promoted to lure overseas students towards universities and professional medical and engineering institutions in Pakistan.
The first such initiative has already been taken by Education Scenario through establishing linkages and cooperation among top ranked Malaysian Universities and Pakistani Universities with of the active support of Education Malaysia Global Services and Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan (APSUP) Sindh Chapter.
These are workable solutions for internationalization of higher education in Pakistan. The only thing required is the better connectivity among stakeholders and facilitation by the private and public sector authorities, associations and individual institutions.
A word about the ESI MD
Mr Samiullah Sami, a foreign education promotion stalwart and a staunch supporter of ‘Education for All’ practicably and tangibly, heads Education Scenario International (ESI) Group’s Managing Director. The holder of an MPhil degree from the University of the Punjab, Mr Sami has authored over 3,000 articles on Higher Education, Scholarships and Career Counselling. During the course of over nearly two-and-a-half decades of professional services in the field of international education, he has conducted scores of interviews with renowned academicians like vice chancellors, distinguished diplomats, worthy education ministers and knowledgeable career consultants from more than 15 countries and over 500 top-ranked universities of the world.
Mr Sami is also Editor-in-Chief of ‘Education Scenario’, a monthly English-language magazine published from the Group’s Head Office in Lahore (Pakistan) since 2001.He is also the Project Director of Study in Malaysia Education Fair by EMGS Education Ministry Malaysia. He has recently been endorsed by the Federal Higher Education and Professional Training Ministry to promote Study in Pakistan globally for the internationalization of higher education in Pakistan. He can be reached at sami@educationscenario.com
A first step in this direction is a globally acceptable policy, based on a two-way-benefit model, which can be chalked out by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Foreign Office and the public and private sectors representatives’ bodies and other relevant stakeholders.
Massive pouring in of international students would certainly create an environment of competition not only among local universities but also with global counterparts.
One-window operation to facilitate foreign and top-ranked universities may be initiated by setting up regional campuses in Pakistan.
Global partners may extend their support in the capacity-building and sustainable higher education model.
The only thing required is the better connectivity among stakeholders and facilitation by the private and public sector authorities, associations and individual institutions.
There is a dire need to focus on Franchise and physical campus presence with JVs model approach in the country.
