The real problem is that our IT graduates lack certain skills such as critical thinking
ISLAMABAD: We often hear that there is a high percentage of unemployment among IT graduates in Pakistan. Interestingly, industry experts claim that Pakistan just does not produce enough IT graduates.
The real problem is that our IT graduates lack certain skills such as critical thinking. Sadly, critical thinking is absent among the majority of university graduates and school students in Pakistan. Our system of rote learning in most schools prevents the creation of a well informed and critical workforce.
We should learn lessons from pluralistic Muslim countries such as Malaysia. The late prime minister of Singapore Lee Kaun Yew called Mahathir Mohamad the best ‘Malaysian leader’ in his book ‘From Third World to the First World’. Lee states that Mahathir successfully modernised Malaysia. Mahathir’s emphasis on science, especially computer science, helped Malaysia move away from obscurantism and towards becoming a tolerant and peaceful country. We must do the same.
The good news is that this is already happening in Pakistan, especially in Punjab. As a consequence of the efforts of the Punjab Information Technology Board, Plan 9 — Pakistan’s version of Silicon Valley — has become highly active. There are two main challenges that Pakistan faces in this regard. While universities, academia and industries collaborate on Plan 9, venture capitalism is missing. The other challenge is the investment mindset — most businessmen want to invest either in textiles or real estate. There is a need to change this mentality.
For the short term, Pakistani expatriates can help plug this gap. Most expatriates live and work in more technologically-advanced countries; they can become drivers of an economic transformation in Pakistan. They have a much better understanding of technology than that of local businessmen. They must be provided with a secure investment framework so that they can invest in technology.
For the long run, our investment mentality must change. Celebrities can play a huge role in this regard. Shahid Afridi is a household name. Most people know about his restaurant Splice. Imagine if Shahid Afridi invested in technology in Pakistan, it would have a profound impact on our investment culture. Certain sportsmen such as Misbah-ul-Haq have high business acumen. If Misbah were to back Plan 9’s technology startups, there could be a big change in the way Pakistani tech startups are viewed.
As these tech startups attract more investment, they will create a demand for better training facilities and courses in universities. Eventually, the whole chain will become much more productive and useful for the country. With proper funding, Pakistan could best international technology competitions.
Hamid Zaib
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2019.
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