Barriers and Bottlenecks in Globalisation of Engineering
Education in Pakistan
Naeem Abas2, Nasrullah Khan2
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of
Gujrat, Hafiz Hayat Campus, Pakistan
2Department of Electrical Engineering, COMSATS
University Islamabad, Pakistan
Abstract. This paper intends to examine existing educational
practices, beliefs in Pakistani universities teaching engineering degree
programs. It discusses the present situation of engineering education in
developing countries like Pakistan, the causes that hinder the smooth
process of knowledge creation and dissemination, irrationalities rooted
in society and role of university leadership in keepingstatus-quo . Incumbent education internationalization strategies
and academic entrepreneurial policies for the sustainable development
are examined in the light of appalling ground realities. Following a
qualitative approach, eight heads of departments were interviewed to
explore the current situation, problems and the role of leadership. The
findings revealed that fundamental causes include pricey education, lack
of uniformity in curricula all over the country, lack of focus on
practical education, misaligned priorities, rife poverty, rampant fees,
business slant and simulation research practices, racial bigotry and
political interferences in recruitments. The study indicates that
academic leadership plays a decisive role in promoting higher education.
Vice-Chancellor, with a significant position, needs to be an
extraordinary individual with exceptional capabilities. The study
implies that selection of Vice-Chancellor deserves great attention.
Besides, it encourages regulating fee, recruiting talented local
teachers, enforcing uniform curricula, imparting technical education in
collaboration with local industries and raising local education
standards. It offers future researchers to test present analysis
empirically.
Keywords: Engineering Education; Creative challenges; Outcome
based Education;