IT is surprising that more than 60 universities, mostly private, have less than 50 PhD teachers. Among these, more than 30 universities have even less than 10 PhD teachers.

This is really an alarming situation and a question mark on the quality of higher education in Pakistan. On the other hand, a number of PhDs are unemployed and in search of jobs.

There are many others who are being exploited by private universities by hiring them at low salaries. Even some PhDs are teaching in schools.

University is a place where new knowledge emerges and grows. I fail to understand how come a university may have such low number of PhDs. Most universities ask these PhDs only to give lectures. There is very little or no research at all.

The Higher Education Commission and authorities concerned should take immediate action in this regard and convert status of all such universities having less than 50 PhDs to degree-awarding institutions.

This action has to be taken urgently to save the career of students who are getting sub-standard higher education. This will also set a minimum criterion to have a charter of a university; qualified faculty is the foremost parameter in this regard.

Moreover, a minimum salary for teachers having a doctorate needs to be fixed for private universities to avoid their exploitation.

This will help manage employment issue of the PhD faculty.

It will also help enhance standards of higher education by maintaining the student-teacher ratio and develop a research culture in the country.

Dr Saba Riaz

Faisalabad

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2019