By SHABBIR H. KAZMI
Sep 25 - Oct 01, 2000
We took the lead among educational institutions by launching
the website of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology
(SZABIST) five years ago. We are now working to enter into e-education. While
some other institutions are also working to achieve this, perhaps we will be the
first to offer fully interactive e-education. It will make distant learning
possible. Students will be able to register themselves, listen/down load
lectures, submit their assignments and even take examinations.
I believe that we should not force students for learning, we
have to create an environment whereby a person would like to upgrade his
knowledge, skills and performance. However, the ultimate objective remains the
same — leading a better quality life. Going a step further, we at SZABIST want
to make learning a pleasure because when one enjoys doing some thing he/she
hardly feels the fatigue or frustration. This improves the overall learning
process.
You are aware that SZABIST has a very brief but eventful
history. We have been repeatedly classified among the best business schools of
Asia — by Asiaweek. In Pakistan many business schools have a much longer
history but what made us make an impression. It is not a secret, one can go
through the appraisal procedure followed by Asiaweek which is very
comprehensive.
While some institutions may not appreciate the work of
Asiaweek and also go to the extent by saying it is biased. I believe in a very
old saying, the proof is in the pudding. Let every one find out about the
quality of SZABIST graduates — where do they go, where they are placed, what
salary do they get and how many graduates get H-1 visa. But I would also suggest
that our critics should also look at the admission procedure followed — what
percentage of total number of applicants get the admission and what is the
cut-off point.
I believe that faculty play a very important role in carving
the finished product. I would term an entrant as uncut diamond, the
facilities/infrastructure is cutting lab and faculty is responsible for cutting
and polishing. Therefore, creating the final product is the responsibility of
faculty. A faculty member at SZABIST normally spend more than 10 hours at the
institute. During these hours he teaches, provides counselling, helps students
in undertaking research projects and last but not the least evaluate the
students.
Allow me to divulge a little. Every one seems to be talking
about information technology (IT) and students are rushing towards the
institutes offering IT education. Incidentally, all the success stories are
quoted from the USA. But, I believe while looking at IT education, Pakistan
should remain the top priority and the use of IT in core industries.
Look at our core industries, i.e. textiles and clothing,
sugar, financial services, etc. are we making the best use of information
technology? The reply is in negative. The students are lost every one wants to
attain knowledge to undertake development work, but tends to forget that
applications of available programmes, operating systems in the core industries
is the key to success.
I also share the feeling that the country has witnessed
mushroom growth of both business and IT schools. The problem has reached a level
where students after spending a couple of semesters realize that they had made a
wrong choice. Then they try to switch over from one institution to another.
While transfer of credit hours from one university/school to another is common
in the US or the UK, it is just not possible in Pakistan.
This should have been possible in Pakistan also. The present
situation is due to not following the standardized credit hours. According to
the US standard, one academic hour per week over a 15-weeks semester is
equivalent to one credit hour. Our MBA is 60 credit hours and BCS is 124 credit
hours programmes. This was possible because I was associated with an American
university as Director of Graduate Studies. I have explained the system followed
by SZABIST and students can, themselves, compare what system is followed by
other business schools or universities. This indicates how elaborate is our
classroom instructions and then also add the research work each student has to
do individually and as a group member. All these put together make the
difference. To ensure greater exposure of our students to real life problems and
issues, we encourage them to participate in various competitions. The
performance of SZABIST students in A.Q. Khan Laboratories is on record.
