Crisis in Pakistani Higher Education: 65 Universities Without Permanent Vice-Chancellors

Pakistan's higher education sector faces a critical challenge with 65 universities lacking permanent vice-chancellors, disrupting both administrative and academic functions. Issues include inadequate funding, outdated curricula, and political interference, leading to a deterioration in the quality of education and access disparities.

The higher education sector in Pakistan is in a critical state, with 65 universities lacking permanent vice-chancellors, according to a report by ARY News. This issue is particularly severe in Punjab, with 29 universities affected. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has 22 universities facing the same challenge, while Balochistan and Sindh each have five and three universities without permanent leadership, respectively.

The absence of permanent vice-chancellors is severely disrupting both administrative and academic functions within these institutions. Many universities are experiencing operational and governance issues due to reliance on temporary arrangements. Inadequate funding is a major concern, as the government's allocation for higher education has not kept pace with inflation or the sector's growing demands. Budget cuts and financial constraints have led to insufficient resources, affecting infrastructure maintenance, faculty salaries, and research support, according to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

The quality of education has also suffered, with many universities offering outdated curricula and lacking sufficient research facilities and qualified faculty. Political interference and administrative inefficiencies further exacerbate the problem. University appointments and decisions are often influenced by political considerations, undermining institutional autonomy and strategic planning. According to the Institute of Policy Studies' 2023 report, this political influence hampers the implementation of effective policies.

The deteriorating situation in Pakistan's higher education sector is a multifaceted issue involving inadequate funding, declining quality, political interference, brain drain, and access disparities.

(With inputs from agencies.)