Every Individual Should Strengthen the Education Syste

Jahangir’s World Times (JWT): Please tell us something about your education and area of expertise?Arshad Hussain: I got PhD in electrical engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University. I am an electrical engineer and a graduate of University of Engineering and Technology (UET). I did my masters from George Washington University, Washington DC. My area of specialisation is telecommunication.

JWT: For how long have you been in this field?

AH: I did my engineering in 1984, so my experience is of 27 years.JWT: What are your major achievements regarding academics?

AH: I joined this university in 2001 and was the first head of electrical engineering department. I started electrical engineering department here and now for the past four years I am the director of National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Lahore.JWT: How many campuses do NUCES have and what degrees it offers to its students?

AH: NUCES has four campuses. They are located in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad. The total number of students is above 7,000. Lahore Campus is the largest and we have more than 2700 students. We are also going to have a new campus in Faisalabad which would hopefully start from August this year. We offer more than 10 degrees at BS, MS and PhD level. We offer PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics and business management. Similarly, we offer MS in these areas as well. Depending upon the strength of the faculty, every campus offers different degrees. The maximum number of programmes is offered by the Lahore campus. We are going to start civil engineering at Lahore Campus soon.JWT: How is FAST doing academically?

AH: Academically, we are one of the most outstanding universities. I don’t want to say that we are the best as it is a bit arrogant statement. We are the pioneers; we started computer sciences and now, we are offering electrical engineering as well as bachelor in Business Administration. These are relatively new fields. Electrical engineering is now a nine years old department and the department of management sciences is seven years old. Our reputation can be judged from the fact that last year only the Lahore campus received about 8,000 applications for 700 seats. This shows that our reputation is quite good and people trust us.JWT: Private universities are providing quality education to the students but on the other hand, the public sector universities lag behind. What do you think is the reason behind this?

AH: I think the public sector universities also offer quality education. I don’t think every private university is providing quality education either. I think Higher Education Commission (HEC) as well as Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), together with a Computer Sciences Council is actively taking part to ensure that every university regardless of it being a public or private university provides quality education. So, they are trying to bring a uniform standard but it will take some time.JWT: Initially FAST became renowned for its computer sciences programmes. However, the university now offers degrees in the fields of business and engineering. How is the turnout of students for these programmes?

AH: As I told you earlier, about 8,000 students applied for admission in NUCES, Lahore last year, and more than 6000 students out of these had electrical engineering as their first preference.JWT: Are the programmes recognised by PEC?

AH: Every single batch that has graduated is recognised by the PEC. Every single batch starting since 2002 is recognised. You can visit PEC’s website and see for yourself. Similarly, there is a national computer science body which plays the same role as the PEC does in engineering. It has categorised us as an ‘A’ degree institute with regard to computer sciences.

JWT: Do you think that the students of engineering at FAST can compete with the students of pure engineering universities such as UET, GIKI or NUST?

AH: I studied at UET and was the first faculty member of Electronics Engineering Department of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI). I was also the first faculty member hired by NUST. So, I have been to all these three places. Therefore, we are grooming the students in accordance with the standard of these institutions. I do not want to make any claims. I would say I am the best, they would say they are the best. Marketability is good yard stick to see. We give the best quality education which HEC and PEC demand from us.

JWT: Do you think that the students of business studies at FAST can compete with the students of business schools of Lahore such as LUMS and LSE?

AH: We are known for computer sciences and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is traditionally famous for business. We will take time in making the community understand that a FAST graduate of BBA has the same calibre as of any other institution. This all depends on the marketing. LUMS learnt computer sciences from us and they started a programme in it a few years back. LUMS and Lahore School of Economics (LSE) are by default known as business schools. That is why in terms of perception; our business graduates may be not as well-known as of these institutes. However by any standard  we also provide quality education.JWT: Are you in favour of privatisation of universities?

AH: Do we have any other choice? The government does not have finances and the population is exploding; So what else to do? But the only thing is that when one applies for opening a university, the government by taking some extra measures must ensure that the applicant along with making money would impart quality education and that the standard of education would not be compromised at the altar of commercialism. The government should make rules and ensure that they are followed. This is my humble suggestion to the government because after all without government support one cannot open a university.JWT: What would you say about the high fee structure of private universities? How can the students be facilitated in this regard?

AH: It is a sad story of our society. Talking about FAST, I would say that we are not after money. We are a pure charitable organisation. It means nobody owns this university other than a trust. All trustees are volunteers meaning thereby that they do not draw salaries. Our fee structure is three times less as compared to other private universities. Another positive and good thing about FAST is that if a student gets admission here and is unable to pay the dues, we do not cancel his or her admission. This is the Foundation’s commitment to education. We provide such students with Qarz-e-Hasna, even to a figure of 100 per cent. We give about five crore rupees for Qarz-e-Hasna. The return rate for this is 10 per cent. Only 10 per cent of the students when they graduate and start earning money pay it back. Also, we have been told that we would not take any legal action against defaulters.

If other universities do the same thing as FAST does with regard to facilitating students in monetary terms, then there would be some betterment. Also, the students who graduate should contribute to their alma mater so that the next generation gets benefit. Islamic concept of charity can be of great assistance in this connection. The  universities should facilitate the students. Like wise, the students too realise that they owe much to their alma mater. In this way, the high tuition fee can be controlled to a considerable extent.JWT: Our government is poor and our people are also poor. Who would fund them in these circumstances?

AH: I think we, the educated people, have to work in our respective fields to make this country prosperous and rich. This would take about 50 years but we should not lose hope. I think the problem of this country is what unfortunately an outsider told you recently. She is Hillary Clinton who said that the people of Pakistan have to pay taxes. The government is poor because we do not pay taxes. Only salaried people pay taxes, this is what Federal Board of Revenue just announced. So our country is poor because we do not pay taxes. The thing is that the business community has to pay taxes.JWT: What are your views regarding the devolution of HEC?

AH: I think it does not matter whether HEC gets devolved or not. It is all about provincial autonomy. Those who say that HEC should go to provinces; they say so because of provincial autonomy. Education is a provincial issue now. In the whole world education is not a federal subject. Those who say it should not be devolved, know about the nature of this existing system. One of the reasons is that they think that the provinces at this moment are not capable of taking care of higher education. So both arguments are very valid.JWT: Why are the VCs of maximum universities against the devolution of HEC?

AH: Vice-Chancellors of public universities are against it. HEC mostly caters to the needs of the VCs of public universities, not private universities. Our relationship with the HEC is limited. They just monitor us and categorise us. In general, they do not give funds to private universities. They grant money to public universities. So, to us it does not matter, for them it does.JWT: Do you think that the local PhD holders have a bright future in Pakistan because most of the universities give preference to foreign PhD holders?

AH: It would take about 20 years and then it would matter a lot. India did a great service. It started producing PhDs in 1950s. It did not matter whether they were of high or poor quality. They produced PhDs in such a large number that in 1970s they started producing high quality PhD holders locally. The PhDs from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) are the highest layer of quality education system. You must have heard about Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs). It is the highest education system on technologies. IISc is above it. Their PhD holders get direct jobs in American universities. So they are producing such high class PhDs. They have grown in this area in a span of 30-40 years. Therefore, Pakistan must start producing PhDs. This is the most important thing.JWT: What are the repercussions of a low budget for the education sector of Pakistan?

AH: I think the budget for the education sector should be high and it should be used in the correct way. The ultimate truth, however, is that we all must teach kids. Every individual in his or her capacity should contribute to strengthen the education sector of the country.JWT: What reforms would you suggest for the progress of the education sector of Pakistan?

AH: I pray that Almighty Allah purifies our intentions and this is all that I have to say.