We have many more Karrar Hussains but they need good institutions, a conducive learning environment.
LAHORE: This is with reference to Maria Waqar’s article of September 8 titled “One student’s journey from small-town Balochistan to Harvard University”.
I am delighted to read the success story of Karrar Hussain. His success makes me feel very proud about LUMS, the institution where I have taught for the last nine years and where I continue to serve. There are many misgivings about LUMS outside its walls. The university stands as a testament to the vision of its founders — a centre of excellence in Pakistan, and with the National Outreach Programme, provides an opportunity for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
There are two morals from Karrar’s story. The first is that it is possible to establish centres of excellence in education in Pakistan and these can be comparable to the best in the world. The second is that there is a lot of talent among young Pakistanis and all it needs is encouragement and nurturing, for it to realise its potential. Unfortunately our public education system is failing and this is in turn failing our youth.
We have many more Karrar Hussains but they need good institutions, a conducive learning environment and opportunities to shine. At a more personal level, I feel I have done the right thing to stay, work, teach, live and write in Pakistan.
Rasul Baksh Rais
Professor, LUMS
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2011.
