For example, a full forty per cent of ranking points are awarded based on research. Not only does this say little about the quality of instruction on offer, it also ignores the fact that Pakistan became a research paper mill — as the emphasis was only on quantity not quality — during former president Pervez Musharraf’s era. So focused was the HEC then, on producing PhDs, that it encouraged universities around the country, especially in the fields of science and technology, but perhaps at the cost of quality and oversight. Plagiarism reached alarming proportions and scholars with ambition, but not many scruples, edged out those who had dedicated their lives to their fields. The concentration on research, perhaps, explains why universities such as LUMS — which focuses more on undergraduate studies — was given its low ranking.
Somewhat surprisingly, the rankings also do not include datapoints like how many graduates end up with jobs. Even the teaching criterion is heavily based on research, with points given for total PhD output. Many different factors determine where a student will best succeed, including location and the reputation of the university in the subject that the student is pursuing. Unfortunately, all these seem to have been overlooked.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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As any Engineer I fail to understand why great Institutions Like NED University, and Institute of Business Management Karachi has been under rated. The employability of the graduates from the above Institutions is top class, 2. HEC needs to include Student Learning outcomes as one of the real test for ranking criteria.. 3.Further one of the criteria used for ranking research states "HEC travel grants approved".. By any definition this is not research. 4. In criteria for teaching quality, curriculum has not been considered for purpose of ranking. Does this mean that curriculum which is heart and soul of teaching has no value. 5 HEC should take help of British council for purpose of ranking and publish scores of all institutions rated giving details, if this is to be a transparent exercise. Finally I want to ask HEC whether the criteria of rating was shown to institutions before rating if not then it is not appropriate.
I totally disagree with the list above, i would like to draw the attention of concerned HEC through your eiditorail. they are supposed not to overveiw. Pakistan's biggest university, the university of karachi has been ignored despite contributing tremendously to the market in providing gud leaders and professionals. although people think quality of education and research work are not practiced in goveronment universities. In reality that is not the case. As far as i am concerned, i belong to english department at the university of karachi, i had a survay week before on the university campus of different departments. the administration and faculty is sincere with their jobs and no doubt the quality of education contributed by this university can't ignored.
Smoke and mirrors! HEC is totally unaccountable!
Some very relevant points raised in your editorial. I wonder where the University of Peshawar stands. As for as quality of research is concerned, that is a very importnat area and I didn't come across a single research by the students of the social sciences departments of the University of Peshawar being referred to or used for any practical purposes. The type of guidance and support provided to research students should be one of the criteria.