November 7, 2004

Many young Pakistanis studying abroad want to serve their country in their respective fields of expertise, but our domestic setup often doesn’t allow them to fulfil their wish

EXACTLY one year ago, I was packing my bags to return to Pakistan, my home. I was in Paris for the last one year doing my DEA in cell and molecular therapy, something I dreamt of during my MBBS days in Karachi. I was so excited to return home, to see my parents after a year, that I booked a flight to Karachi on the same day when I was to submit my thesis. My professor rushed me to the airport soon after I submitted my research thesis to the jury. During the eight-hour flight from Paris to Karachi I was thrilled by the idea of working in Pakistan where I could introduce the latest research techniques. But before that I wanted to spend sometime with my family.

After a few days’ break, I started applying for jobs. My first destination was a prestigious private sector medical university in Karachi. There I was told that they didn’t have any vacancies. Later on, I found out that the professor I met had some differences with the professor I worked with before and, therefore, he didn’t want me to joint him.

In the meantime I got a chance to work with a clinician. Though the job was not related to my research experience in genetics, at least I got to see many patients suffering from genetic diseases. I must say I received a lot of encouragement from that clinician. It was the only encouraging job experience in Pakistan so far.

One day I read about a vacant post related to my field advertised in a local newspaper. One of the famous research institutes in Karachi had announced vacancies for PhDs in gene therapy. There were also vacancies in other new fields. I immediately sent my CV and soon got an interview call.

Enthusiastic about the proposition, I went for the interview. The professor taking my interview insisted that I didn’t have a PhD and was not a suitable candidate for the job. Still, I was interested in knowing if they were carrying out any research work in the field. Of course, I wasn’t asking them to take a non-PhD for the post. And I’m sure they could never find a PhD in gene therapy in Pakistan. So I was even ready to work for them as a research officer. But to this date I haven’t received any response from them. Afterwards, I found out that they were giving grants for projects in protecomics, one of the most advanced fields in genetics research. I wondered if their researchers and their background could justify the worth of the project. Then I saw another job ad where a teacher was needed by a private medical university. I got a chance to meet a few professors of the university before the interview. They first asked me to explain what degree I had obtained (DEA) from France. I tried to explain that it was a research degree, which covered the theory part of the PhD and also a research project leading to a three-year doctorate in the field. The professor interrupted and insisted that it was just a ‘diploma’. But in French ‘diploma’ means a ‘degree’, I insisted. But he seemed rigid in his approach and said my degree could go straight into the dustbin. With tears in my eyes I tried to show him my thesis, but he again pointed towards the dustbin. Later on he said that the university would only consider my MBBS degree and offered me to obtain a PhD degree from their institute. I asked about the research fields and facilities, to which another professor replied that they offered PhDs in every clinical or basic science field and you only needed “will power” to acquire a PhD degree, and not research facilities. I wondered if I could do research work in gene therapy only with my “will power” staying at home.

Two years back, I was at a research laboratory in France on one of the campuses of the University of Paris, appearing for my interview for the DEA. The jury consisted of some big names in the field of research. The first question they asked me was about my educational background, of course, not about what degree I had, but the courses I had done. They asked me about my research experience which made me dumbstruck. I had no research experience at all for I had never been to a true research lab. However, I was confident that I was going to learn the basic techniques. They could see my passion for research in genetics in my eyes and not my Pakistani background. They immediately gave me the admission letter. And one year later, I proved to them that I was dedicated enough to the course. I got highest marks in defending my thesis, and that too being the only one with a medical and non-research background, not to mention the only foreign student in my class.

I also had the privilege of presenting my work at the college of young researchers in Paris. My work was selected among the many research papers there. Everybody appreciated my effort.

Then came the European conference in Ireland, and to my surprise my professor asked me to participate and present the research work that I had done. As a result, I received the prize for the best basic science research. Renowned professors from all over the world participating in the conference appreciated my work. I was the youngest participant there, but nobody tried to pull my leg or question my background. Nobody degraded me or questioned my MBBS degree obtained from Pakistan, despite the fact that no one in France knows what MBBS stands for. I didn’t know much French when I started working on my research project. It never got me into any kind of difficulty. Instead, I was encouraged at every step. Everybody there actually tried to egg a young researcher on.

I know that the PMDC doesn’t accept any degree from France. I knew it even before I went to France. But what’s more important to me was the research experience.

Here a question springs to my mind: What does the higher commission education (HEC) think of the young students and researchers who come back to their country in order to serve it in their respective fields and get such an insulting response? I deem it necessary to mention that one of the above-mentioned research institutes where I applied for a job comes under the HEC.

With tears in my eyes I sit here thinking about my future. I think about the PhD offer and a scholarship that I rejected abroad just to get some work experience in my own country. I wonder when will we stop looking down upon our own youth? Why is it so difficult for us to accept the achievements of our youngsters? Why do we see our younger generation as a threat to us?

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