China reformed its higher education sector in the early 20th century, and today, it is reaping the benefits of those reforms. It also introduced reforms in the agricultural sector during the fifties, while simultaneously supporting business and industrial sectors through continuity in policies. The products produced by them were mostly shipped to other countries, but now they have more options available such as road, rail, and air transport. To develop a global community, they are supporting all developing countries in terms of technology transfer, human development, etc., across the entire world, including Asia, Africa, and South America.
The Pakistani youth are hardworking and have the potential to become developers, scientists, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and they are capable of pursuing many other professions. To have state-of-the-art facilities and quality human resources for teaching & learning we require a lot of funding as well as time. The developed world has their own agenda and they are less bothered whether the rest of the world is developing or not. On the other hand, China has been Pakistan’s best and time-tested friend for decades, therefore, we may explore areas of cooperation in all domains with Chinese universities for student, faculty and staff exchange programs under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
It is also evident that universities like Oxford or Harvard and other top universities may not collaborate with Pakistani universities as they may not be interested, but they are cooperating and collaborating with Chinese universities for their research development programs. We may explore such Chinese universities which have international collaboration with the developed world as well as relate to the industry and the community. As China has gained significant achievements in Science & Technology, Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship, and other disciplines, therefore, it will be appropriate to develop a long-term relationship with Chinese universities with clear objectives.
China is aiming to improve its higher education by 2050 by following equality and equity along with increasing access to higher education. It is inducting international faculty in different universities in continuity of its open policy. President Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream” for becoming a world’s leading innovator by 2050 is being materialized by further reforming education in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as it is mandatory for the transition from a manufacturing-based to an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy. It is also focussing on improving or replacing bureaucratic intervention to foster innovation culture in the universities.
China is making a significant contribution in generating human knowledge for the betterment of human beings by introducing state of the art laboratories, libraries and an enabling environment for students and faculty to conduct research which is commercialized by the University-Industry Collaboration. It’s publishing in leading research journals and has gained reputation in manufacturing needle to aeroplane, engineering goods and patents. It crossed standards set by the developed world in various disciplines.
As a part of its policy to develop a global community which may make this world a better place to live for each other – they are offering scholarship opportunities in various disciplines each year and offer many job opportunities as a faculty member in emerging disciplines like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Manufacturing, Nano Materials and in the domain of social sciences. This reflects the country’s focus on intelligent manufacturing and engineering, data science and big data technology, which are essential for China’s technological advancement.
On the other hand, our youth, our potential, are searching for opportunities to achieve their career goals. The universities in Pakistan may find matching exchange programs with Chinese universities which are expected to offer if supported by the Government. Like China is following a Master Plan for every sector including higher education, a similar approach will surely help us to become a developed country. For this our stakeholders in higher education must prepare a strategic plan and enlist respective activities in it. The faculty members are expected to be the individuals with highest intellect; therefore, a practical plan is expected in terms of finances and human expertise. The government may facilitate any proposal forwarded by the universities through Higher Education Commission. The necessary engagements of relevant stakeholders will help in developing a strong relationship for mutual benefits.
The Huawei through China Aid has established Smart Classrooms at more than one hundred universities in Pakistan. It also provides a Learning Management System (LMS) for hosting learning content for different courses. The smart classrooms are connected with high speed fibre optic provided through Pakistan Education Research Network (PERN). Immediately we may engage those universities which are leading in emerging sciences, business, entrepreneurship, engineering and Information Technology disciplines. Initially, the universities where the medium of instruction is English may be approached for short term, long term or course level collaboration. There is also the possibility of using AI tools for translating Chinese content in English and exemption of local courses to Pakistani graduates may be granted for fulfilment of the degree requirement.
The progressive developments demonstrated by China are a role model for Pakistan and it is the right time to explore areas for cooperation and the right partner university for achieving the objective of knowledge economy which is only possible through human development.
—The writer is Director, Higher Education Commission. (muahmed@hec.gov.pk)
