KARACHI:
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) is one of the largest and most populated universities in south Punjab. Many students from remote areas of south Punjab come to this university to acquire a quality education and improve their employability. As IUB is located in a seemingly backward area, most students hailing from low-income families apply to the university.
The university should provide free education to the needy and deserving students so that they can come out of their backwardness and prove themselves worthy. However, annual increases in admission fees have prevented many students from applying to the university. In fact, annual increases in semester fees are now posing problems for the enrolled students as well. Hostel fee has also risen to Rs20,000, which has compelled many students to drop out of university as it is no longer affordable. Instead of offering students scholarships and other forms of educational support, IUB is threatening students’ futures as students are leaving their education midway.
Students are compelled to resort to low-paying jobs to make ends meet. A large number of university dropouts will ultimately threaten the country’s development and progress. The public is already faced with myriad problems, therefore, the Vice Chancellor of IUB and provincial authorities must revisit the fee increments so that the students and their families can heave a sigh of relief.
Altaz Sher
Shahrak
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2022.
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