Admissions Open

Tayyab #7

I`m not sure admission process in the US is as transparent as we`d like to believe. There was an article in the New Yorker a few months back about the admission process to US universities and I was surprised at how suggestible some schools could be. I wish I had saved that article.

An organization by the name of National Testing Service (NTS) was formed sometimes back. It has been conducting entrance tests for COMSATS Institute of Information Technology but has failed to deliver on its role as the ‘national’ testing service. How much public money has gone down this drain will be an interesting piece of information that MoST or HEC can reveal in one of their upcoming press releases.

There were rumors a few years ago that the Aga Khan University may become a central examination authority for all of Pakistan, much like the University of Cambridge. I`m not sure how true they were and to be honest, I don`t see any of that happening in the near future but I think it was a good idea. At least the Aga Khan Foundation has a system and an established network to assist it in its efforts. Most other institutions, when they`re not rotten with corruption, are floundering for want of support.

From: tayyab rashid

#2 by scout
[... does the government care enough to support standardized testing.]

Frankly, I am not sure what the government cares about?? Government started caring about industry and nationalized many units in the 70`s - look where they stand now.

What we need is an initiative by universities as suggested in post #5 by HisExcellency.... this regulation must come from the education sector itself, not the government. An association of educational institutes should be created to decide the application deadlines, and standardized testing procedures.

Unless universities put their house in order, there is a serious danger that government servants will increase their interference in the affairs of universities.

Today, higher education is a lucrative sector as industry was in pre 70s. And government servants are again on the prawl.


TR

#1 by cmp99
[... reputed American & Canadian universities. The Visa hurdle is one of the last obstacles that they`ve faced. But, being told by the university that there were 2000 students applying for 50 seats and you aren`t one of the fifty ... how does that make you feel?]

It would probably make me feel bad but not cheated. The problem in Pakistan is that we do not have a streamlined TRANSPARENT admissions process in Pakistan. Universities can charge all the money they want, as long as they are delivering corresponding value - which is not happening at the moment.

Tayyab,
You make a very good point of universities fleecing people. I think it would be safe to say (and correct me if I am wrong) this is mostly the case of private universities like Bahria, SZABIST, LUMS etc. Only a few public schools (like IBA) do these tests and that too only in fields like business, computer sciences, medicine and engineering. This is a function, probably, of the high demand for education in these field. Since we live in a ruthlessly capitalistic society high demand will lead to high prices.
Maybe more people will start moving towards other fields and this will be a positive development. The only way that I see that this fleecing may be stopped is that public universities become competetive in the quality of education.
At the end of the day, private unis will do what they want, like they do everywhere else.
Asif

I agree with cmp99. Application process for US universities is also very expensive and time consuming. Students who are accustomed to the British system of education (A-Levels,etc) expect a streamlined application process and testing procedures. This is because most British universities are public universities.

Nevertheless some regulation of Pakistani universities is definitely necessary. However, this regulation must come from the education sector itself, not the government. An association of educational institutes should be created to decide the application deadlines, and standardized testing procedures.

The reason government should be kept out of regulation is simple: red-tape. The moment you involve government in your affairs, there will be inefficiency, unnecessary delays and too much paper work. Governments usually have a habit of delivering too little, too late.

I like the idea of a Rectors Roundtable as proposed by Mr.Tayyab Rashid.

a good idea would be to have all schools and colleges pool together and open a counselling agency for students....this might go a long way in helping out students......as long this very counselling agency is not turned into a money making machine......
This could be done privately by an independent agency as well.
cheers
raza

I agree. A certain university held the entry test before the declaration of the BISE examination result trying to attract as much aspirants as possible, because many of them get discouraged after looking at their report cards and restrict their priorities.

People coming from abroad usually don`t have a sound knowledge of the various Universities and Colleges in Pakistan and have to do a lot of research first before they make a selection. I myself was in the UAE before I came here for my engineering, and have gone through all of this.

Your complaints are all well and good. But you are somehow only highlighting Pakistan`s Institutions of Higher Learning and how they have become a means of amassing wealth.
Some of my friends, seniors & juniors have had the chance to apply for Ph.D, M.Sc and B.Sc positions at various reputed American & Canadian universities.
The Visa hurdle is one of the last obstacles that they`ve faced. But, being told by the university that there were 2000 students applying for 50 seats and you aren`t one of the fifty ... how does that make you feel?
Of course, there is no refund of your mandatory $60 application fee. Thats like $ 0.1 Million right there. And thats just one top university for the PhD program. Imagine how much the universities all over the country are making all through applications. And don`t forget the expense of sending out school transcripts, GRE/GMAT/TOEFL score reports.
In the new century, universities everywhere are seen as a business enterprise.

you bring up a very good point. but then how do u even begin to organize a disorganized society. who takes the initiative...... and once the initiative is taken, who follows it through till the end...... i`m sure someone has tried, gotten frustrated, and given up along the way.
and, does the government care enough to support standardized testing.