Standard of Education in Universities and Undergraduate Programs in Pakistan

This article, written by Dr. Alamdar Hussain Malik Advisor, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences UVAS Swat, highlights the issues related to the standard of education in universities, the  importance of the quality of undergraduate programs, professional skills of graduates in Pakistan, and the effects on the economy.

The foundation of any nation’s development is laid on education, and the most important stage in this education is the undergraduate level. This is the time when the thinking and future of the youth are determined, their personality is molded, and the skills are developed within them that enable them to become scientists, engineers, doctors, economists, and national leaders in the future.

If the quality of education at this stage is high, students not only obtain degrees, but they also develop the ability to face the problems of practical life and move society forward. But if undergraduate education is built on weak foundations, young people become degree holders, but they remain deprived of knowledge and skills, the loss of which directly affects national development.

About UVAS Swat 

Pillars of the Standard of Education 

Quality education does not mean just the availability of curriculum or teachers, but a comprehensive system that includes merit-based admission, proper selection of students’ abilities and tendencies, modern curriculum, research, and practical training opportunities. Quality education is one that gives students the courage to think, question, and research, and enables them to find practical solutions to problems. If the curriculum is outdated, admissions are substandard, and practical training is lacking, then young people with degrees are produced but truly skilled and talented individuals are not produced. This difference is clearly visible in developed and developing countries.

Successful examples from the world are before us. In the last three decades, China has made the curriculum at the undergraduate level according to modern requirements, linked universities with industry, and made research mandatory. Today, China is the second largest economy in the world. India has invested in engineering and IT programs, and the result is that Indian graduates are prominent at the global level and are contributing billions of dollars to the country’s economy. In European countries and the United States, merit, modern curriculum, and research were made the basis, and these factors enable them to lead the global economy.

Issues of Dairy Sector in Pakistan; How to Stop the Wastage of White Gold? Recommendations 

Standard of Education in Universities in Pakistan

Pakistan’s scenario is different from these examples. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2024-25, there are 269 universities in the country, in which the total number of students enrolled in various higher education programs is about 1.94 million. This number is very inadequate compared to a population of 220 million. Moreover, admission without merit and aptitude tests, outdated curriculum and absence of research have left our young graduates behind the world standard. The result is that they are neither able to establish new industries nor compete in the global market. This shortage is directly affecting the economy. Unemployment is increasing, industries are not getting skilled people and domestic products are unable to make their place in the global market.

Livestock Sector and Veterinary Education

This problem has also affected important sectors like agriculture and livestock. The livestock population in Pakistan is about 220 million, but the quality of veterinary education is so poor that we have not been able to develop local vaccines for diseases like foot and mouth disease. The result is that this disease alone causes a loss of about Rs. 200 billion to the national economy annually. According to a study by the Punjab Livestock Department, the total direct and indirect losses due to foot and mouth disease are estimated at 5 to 6 billion US dollars annually.

If undergraduate programs in veterinary science were based on merit and research and practical training were given importance, Pakistan would be earning billions of dollars today through dairy value addition. On the contrary, the lack of quality has led to global restrictions on dairy product exports and has caused severe damage to the country’s economy.

Veterinary Educational Institutes in Pakistan 

Standard of Education and Its Linkage with the Economy

It must be acknowledged that undergraduate education and the economy are directly linked to each other. Unless Pakistan makes merit and competence the basis of admissions, modernizes the curriculum and makes research a national priority, then the dream of development cannot be fulfilled. Successful examples from the world give us a clear message that if the standard of undergraduate education is raised, a revolution can take place in industry, agriculture and the economy. Otherwise, the increasing number of degrees will prove to be just paper performance.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

See Full Bio