By: Muhammad Shahram Bhutto
Doubtlessly, university education plays a significant role in making a more educated and progressive society since it enables students to expand their educational ambitions. In this contemporary era, the significance of university education is ramping up with each passing day across the globe; on the other hand, the students of Sindh are still witnessing the vestiges and remnants of colonization. Hyderabad is believed to be the second-largest city of Sindh, but it lacks proper educational institutions. Unfortunately, there is no public sector university in the city that creates vast obstacles for the students. There are two professional universities, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, and Sindh University, located 16km away from Hyderabad in Jamshoro. The establishment of a federal university has long been a major demand of the citizens of Sindh’s second-largest cityThe students from Hyderabad and its localities (Hala, Matiari Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas) apply to these professional universities for admission. The selection criterion for these universities is akin to be a hard nut to crack for students. The seats are allotted to each district under merit. The role of the Sindh government has never been up to the mark in establishing a university; such a lackadaisical approach of the Sindh government has dealt a serious blow to the students as their education is affecting, and striving from pillar to post in order to accomplish their dream of getting an education. The previous government only paid lip service which was nothing but a political slogan for its political objectives through the incumbent federal government has taken interest; Imran khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, performed ground-breaking of Federal Urdu University Hyderabad.
While addressing the ceremony of groundbreaking, Prime Minister Imran khan said, I am amazed as to who is opposing a university in Hyderabad and why.” Moreover, he stated, we will share the experience of Numl with Hyderabad university. On the other hand, NUML university is nothing less than a blessing in disguise for Hyderabad as the ground-breaking ceremony has been performed by Sitara-e-Imtiaz, brigadier Amir Zahid who worked untiringly to this cause. Despite hailing from an army background, his interest in building a university in Hyderabad is an unparalleled example rather it is a matter of great concern to those legislators who have been elected by the people of Hyderabad.
The skyrocketing fees of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, cannot be afforded by the underprivileged students. Lack of educational institutions has created dependency syndrome among the students.
The seats allotted to each district under merit/self-finance are not enough. Also, scholarships need to be enhanced for those students who cannot carry the burden of exorbitant fees; hundreds of thousands of students are deprived of quality university education on account of meager seats in universities which should be increased promptly or else innumerable disciples will not be fulfilling their dream of university education. The provincial government of Sindh as well as the Federal government ought to work collectively in order to provide quality education to the students of far-flung areas so as to they could play their part in the development of Pakistan.
Shahram writes for domestic and international issues. He can be reached at [email protected]