DESPERATE times call for desperate measures, they say, but not all measures are wise or beneficial. As such, the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) recently made the controversial decision to allow pre-medical students to gain admission into engineering programmes, which is as unwise as it is unjust, and as illogical as it is frustrating. While this may seem like an inclusive move, it is, in fact, a detrimental one. This decision undermines the integrity of engineering education, and poses significant risk to public safety and professional standards.

Pre-medical students are rigorously trained in subjects relevant to medical fields, such as biology, chemistry and human anatomy. Besides, this training is vastly different from the mathematical and technical foundations required for engineering disciplines. Allowing pre- medical students to enter engineering programmes is akin to allowing pre-engineering students to pursue medical degrees; a scenario that would undoubtedly jeopardise patient safety and healthcare standards. Similarly, unqualified pre-medical students in engineering discuplines could lead to the construction of unsafe structures, potentially putting countless lives to danger.

The PEC decision, to many, appears to be financially motivated. With over 100,000 engineers currently unemployed in Pakistan, the focus should be on creating job opportunities rather than increasing the number of engineering graduates. By allowing more and more students into engineering programmes, the PEC can generate additional revenue through memberships, courses, webinars and other services. However, this short-sighted approach is surely bound to exacerbate the unemployment problem.

There is no pressing need at all to induct pre-medical students into engineering programmes. The engineering job market is already saturated, with many graduates struggling to find employment. PEC’s move seems driven by a desire to boost enrollment numbers and prevent the closure of university departments, rather than addressing the root causes of unem- ployment. This decision reflects a selfish attempt to sustain PEC’s operations rather than ensuring the quality and relevance of engineering education.

The sharply declining number of students taking the engineering entrance test highlights an increasing lack of interest in the field. In 2024, only around 7,000 students appeared for the test, which was a sharp decline from about 40,000 in previous years. The PEC might eventually eliminate the entrance test altogether, which would further erode the quality of engineering education. The PEC decision is seriously and fundamentally flawed.

Shahid Ullah Khan
Dera Ismail Khan

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2024