Trapped in the past

To remain relevant, Pakistani universities must be agile, independent and forward-looking.

In the 21st century, a university’s role goes far beyond lectures and exams. Globally, campuses drive tech revolutions, seed start-ups and shape public discourse. But in Pakistan, most public universities remain locked in a governance model built for another era and another purpose. Although the problem is nationwide, Punjab offers the clearest view. It has the largest number of public universities and students, and it’s the system I have worked in for over 40 years. What follows is both a provincial case study and a national warning.