Date: 29-April-2010
Discussion Forum of Economics Department
Department of economics
University of Gujrat launched first session of the series of
discussion forums on April 28, 2010.
Economics department took the
initiative to launch discussion forum under the dynamic
supervision of Dr. Atif Ali Jaffri. These forums will provide an
excellent opportunity for students to express their views on
different burning issues. Experts from various fields would
enlighten the students regarding the discussion topics in the
light of their experiences. Topic for the first session was “Are
Pakistani Universities Producing Labor Force Irrelevant to The
Market Demand?” . Mr. Wajaht Masood, Incharge of Editorial
committee Daily Times and leading journalist of Pakistan, was
the chief guest of the session. Session was presided by Vice
Chancellor University of Gujrat, Pr. Dr. Muhammad Nizam uddin.
Participants of the discussion included; Pr. Shabbir Hussain
Shah, Chaudry Masood, Dr. Zahoor Ahmad, Dr. Ashraf , Mr. shahid
Minhas, Ms Sadia Yousaf, Ms Issma Khatoon and Ms Rooma Asjad.
After recitation of
Holy Quran Dr. Atif introduced the pattern of the session to the
audience and shared his views regarding the topic. Then
Participants formally started the forum giving their views for
and against the discussion topic. Ms Rooma Asjad from BS 6th
semester agreed with the statement saying that Pakistani
universities are not fulfilling the demand of labor force. Our
labor force is unskilled and they don’t have any practical
approach to their subject. The unemployment rate has increased
in educated labor during last five years. The reason of
increased unemployment rate is that there is a mismatch between
labor force and market demand.
Then Ms Isma Khatoon
from M.Sc. 4th
semester gave her views against the motion. Giving an optimistic
view she said that our labor force is skilled and full of
potential. We have many worldwide famous economists, doctors,
engineers and scientists. They were from the same universities,
and have similar facilities and environment. So we can’t blame
that our universities are responsible for producing irrelevant
labor force. There exists a gap between employers and job
seekers. There is just need to bridge the gap between them.
Ms Sadia yousaf from M.Phill argued that
objectives of Pakisitani Universities do not match with the
demand of labor force in the market. Universities are lacking a
good blend of competence, to inculcate professional ethics in
the students and burning desire among the students to succeed in
life.
Dr. Zahoor Ahmed told what type of skills
graduates should develop in them to cope with the problem of
unemployment. Graduates should have management skills and
broader understandings of instantly changing psychological,
economical and political environment of the world. Students
should involve themselves in practical things like case studies
and internship. These can help them to achieve management
skills. Lack of research of emerging endogenous issues, and
future challenges is creating a gap between theory and practice.
According to Mr. Minhas economic stability is
strongly related to political stability. The limited resources
are not allocated efficiently. Only 15 Pakistani universities
fall into good universities of South Asia. The female students
are not participating to serve the nation. 80% of male and only
20% female students are serving the nation. So, the scarce
resources are wasted and misallocated. Production of human
capital is basic and ultimate goal of any university. Pakistan
is mainly a consumer society where, resources are not put
efficiently into productive uses. Human capital produced by our
universities is not properly utilized.
Chaudry Masood simply shared his views about
our current educational system. He enlightened the causes of a
lagging education system of our country. He said there couldn’t
be any fall before rise. Pakistan has not yet risen to the
horizons of world so there doesn’t prevail any question of fall.
He said the education is just like an industry, which produces
human capital as the most precious asset of any country. We are
just copying west and trying to adopt its educational system,
which does not fulfill our requirements. The new age is just
producing strong commercialism.
Mr. Ashraf said that we should focus on
generation of knowledge in scientific and systematic manner
which is the most important demand of the day. We should
visualize our domestic problems and seek solutions from the
examples of developed nations. Professor Shabbier Hussain Shah
said that there is lack of cohesion between university graduates
and market demand. Market is not in our control but to mold
students is the role of university. There is dire need to
formulate policies to change the behavior of market. Our
political hierarchy is incapable to formulate any effective
policy regarding it.
Chief guest Mr. Wajahat Masood appreciated
the freedom of expression at university of Gujrat. He said that
the purpose of university is to think and to ponder on problems
to seek their solutions. University educates people and produces
leaders. Human society is variable and it changes on the flux of
moment. It is not stagnant. Development of a nation depends upon
development of its human capital. Our basic paradigm is power
not knowledge. Three Ps are very important i.e. production,
profit and prosperity. Production generates profit which
ultimately brings prosperity in a nation. For this we need three
T i.e. trade, transit and tourism. Transition of a society is
very important. Civilian minds utilize location according to
their benefit and can better allocate resources. Tourism is very
important, we can earn 1 billion yearly if we ensure security
and give basic facilities to tourists. Prosperity, pleasure and
security are needed to flourish tourism industry. We see all
these things as an ideal, but idealism is realism in the long
run. Social responsibility is a very important factor for
development. Everybody must realize his responsibilities towards
society and nation. Inability to integrate and lack of
adaptability to the new environment is the major cause of
failures. While answering student questions he said we should
adopt four things from west:
1.
Knowledge
2.
Education
3.
Institutionalization
4.
Sustained
process, which is very important for growth and development of
an economy.
Dr. Nizam uddin vice chancellor agreed with
the statement. Attending the question answer session from
students he summed up the discussion saying that there is lack
of practicability among students, which is the main reason for
production of irrelevant labor force to the market demand. He
said internship must be ensured for each student every year or
at least once in two years. Social scientist is needed to take
some practical measures to solve the problems faced by our
economy. Universities should produce good human beings that are
good economists, psychologists, sociologists etc. In the end he
appraised the initiative of economics department and
congratulated Dr. Atif Ali jaffri on such an awesome and
exemplary initiative for the betterment of students of
University of Gujrat.