A university should be a space for discovery, growth, and transformation. A place that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But in Pakistan, that vision is lost. Our universities often feel more like prisons than places of learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a student here feels like running on a treadmill \u2014 endless effort, little progress. Instead of developing minds, we\u2019re being boxed into a system that priorities memorisation and obedience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The curriculum is stuck in the past. Students are taught tools, languages, and concepts that are no longer used in the real world. For example, outdated courses like Assembly Language or DLD are treated as core, while in-demand fields like AI, cloud computing, or product development are sidelined. This disconnect makes students unfit for modern job markets right after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most tech and data science students in Pakistan are learning content that\u2019s 10-15 years old<\/strong>. Modern tools like GPT, cloud engineering, modern Python stacks, or even APIs are barely mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, students in the U.S., Europe, or even India are working with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistani universities? Still stuck on C++, DLD, and manually drawing ER diagrams with pencil and paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The workload is relentless \u2014 assignments, quizzes, and exams pile up without giving time for deep understanding. Students are often forced to memorize rather than learn. There’s no room to build side projects, explore passions, or improve real-world skills. Learning becomes a burden instead of a journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t even question the system. It operates more like a top-down dictatorship than a space for open dialogue and learning. When students try to give feedback or ask genuine questions, it\u2019s often taken as a personal offense by the faculty. Instead of encouraging curiosity, students who ask \u201cwhy\u201d are told to \u201cjust follow\u201d without explanation. This culture of silence and blind obedience suffocates critical thinking \u2014 the very foundation of meaningful education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “They narrow down thinking abilities of students…”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This is probably the worst damage<\/strong>: Students face immense pressure to perform, often without mental health support. Failing even one subject delays their graduation, causing financial, emotional, and academic setbacks. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common \u2014 but rarely acknowledged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assignments often have no connection to real-life applications. Students copy-paste to meet deadlines instead of learning anything meaningful. This practice not only wastes time but also kills creativity and problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assignments are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Real-world projects? Almost non-existent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The environment is so competitive that students hesitate to help each other. There\u2019s little room for group projects or cross-departmental teamwork. Instead, everyone works in silos \u2014 just trying to survive. This mindset hinders teamwork, which is critical in real-world jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Final Year Projects should be collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and aimed at solving real-world problems. Encouraging open-source contributions and real product development can spark innovation and lead to actual startups or job opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Many faculty members in Pakistani universities are barely older than their students, with little to no industry experience. They often still operate with a mindset similar to that of a 4th-semester student \u2014 lacking maturity, exposure, and depth. Teaching, for them, becomes a routine of reading slides rather than imparting real-world skills. Instead of welcoming student questions, they avoid or dismiss them, further discouraging curiosity and critical thinking. In contrast, faculty at global universities are often industry consultants, startup advisors, and passionate mentors who genuinely care about their students’ growth and success. They bring both academic depth and professional insight into the classroom, making learning relevant and inspiring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They walk in, give a lecture, disappear. No proper office hours. No mentoring. No passion. For many, teaching isn\u2019t a mission \u2014 it\u2019s just a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Courses on ethics, leadership, or communication are missing or poorly taught. Students aren\u2019t trained to be good citizens, teammates, or leaders. This lack of direction contributes to the larger societal problems we face today \u2014 from dishonesty to a lack of civic responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many classrooms are uncomfortable, outdated, and uninspiring. Equipment in labs doesn\u2019t work. Internet access is spotty. Instead of a creative and encouraging space, the university feels like a rundown office building from the 90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merit is often ignored in favour of personal connections. Some students get better grades, opportunities, or internships because of their relationships with faculty \u2014 not their performance. This culture kills morale and encourages unfairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CGPA has become the only metric of \u201csuccess.\u201d Students are afraid to take risks or learn things outside their syllabus because it might hurt their grades. The result? Graduates with high CGPAs but low adaptability and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CGPA has become the god of this system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one number decides your worth<\/strong>, your opportunities<\/strong>, and your future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It reduces brilliant individuals into statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to a lack of career counselings or industry exposure, many students choose degrees they don\u2019t understand. They go through four years without knowing where they\u2019re heading or how to apply what they\u2019ve learned in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When students graduate, they face the harsh reality that they lack the skills employers seek. Not because they didn\u2019t try \u2014 but because the system didn\u2019t prepare them. Those who want to start businesses are discouraged, seen as rebels instead of innovators. Students are taught to be job seekers, not creators. This crushes ambition and blocks the path to independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who dream of building something on their own are laughed at or discouraged. The system isn\u2019t built to support innovation or business creation \u2014 just job hunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The constant academic pressure, emotional isolation, and high financial cost of education lead to burnout. Students leave university drained \u2014 not empowered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Update course content regularly. Introduce current, in-demand skills like AI, data science, and product design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Encourage creative projects, open discussions, and gamified learning. Move beyond just slides and lectures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Introduce counsellors and peer-support groups. Normalise talking about burnout, stress, and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offer mentorship, career counselling, and real exposure to industries so students can make informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Invest in faculty development. Bring in guest lecturers from industries. Encourage mentorship culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Value learning outcomes, creativity, and teamwork more than just grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Include courses on ethics, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, and real-life skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set up incubators, offer startup grants, and celebrate students who take risks and try new things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Redesign degrees to be 2-3 years long, focusing entirely on skill-building, critical thinking, and practical exposure. This would fast-track employ-ability and reduce student burnout while aligning education with real-world needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistani students are full of potential. But our system holds them back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need universities that build:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s time to break the cycle. Time to build something better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There might be more problems and solutions. If you have more in mind, please write down in the comments below. If you agree with my point of view, please comment “Agreed”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n immadshahid.com | CEO MansaiSoft (Pvt) Ltd. | AI student | A Tech Content Creator<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Being a student here feels like running on a treadmill \u2014 endless effort, little progress. 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2. No Time to Learn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. No Room for Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Instead of sparking curiosity, they crush it.
Instead of encouraging innovation, they punish it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Mental Burnout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Meaningless Assignments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
6. Lack of Collaboration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
7. Inexperienced Faculty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. No Ethical or Civic Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Poor Infrastructure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Favouritism & Bias<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. CGPA Obsession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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12. Career Confusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Aftermath: Unprepared Graduates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No Support for Entrepreneurs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Burnout at Every Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow Do We Fix This?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Modernise the Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make Learning Fun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Support Mental Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Guide Career Paths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Train Teachers to Inspire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ditch CGPA Obsession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teach What Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Encourage Innovation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shorten and Focus Degree Programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s Rebuild Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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