I have come to realize that Pakistan is a land for fads. In 80’s the fad was to become a doctor or engineer. In 90’s it was to go for MBA. Now every one wants to become a computer engineer. With a dis-proportionate emphasis (IMO) placed on the current fad, namely computer technology, are we providing sufficient funding and opportunities for people to pursue pure sciencies. Where are our biologists, physists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, just to name a few?
There are end less fields of studies in pure sciences. I suspect we do not place much emphasis on them or provide any decent earning opportunities later on, which is a big disincentive for our bright people to pursue sciences. Its not that we are not producing any, its just that we are not producing a fair share. Our core emphasis remains on engineering and computer sciences which are deemed big money-makers in job market. Can Pakistan truly grow up in terms of its educational potential and come to world class research and studies in sciencies with the current state of affairs? What can be done, if this is indeed a problem?
People who pursue "sciences" are mostly (if not all) who failed to get an admission into Engineering, CS or Medicine (daactor). With limited number of MBA, Engineering, Medical colleges, a whole bunch of people is still pursuing "sciences" but since it never stopped, remained "passively continuous" you don't get to hear about them. You only learn/hear about the current hoopla.
Thats exactly the point. All our bright people focus too much on the current fad. Although I hope some really bright people still go in the study of their choice, even if its sciences, and not just follow the crowd. And secondly we don't hear so much about the research and advancements made by Pakistanis in pure sciences. Is this how we think we are going to go ahead in the world?
It's a cultural thing Faisal..those who aren't into fads stick to the "professions" Medicine, Engineering or law...and the ideal within those groups used to be the civil service. So you have Doctors who end up becoming Income Tax collectors...it's also got to do with the lack of scope in other professions...Pakistan is not exactly well known for it's treatment of well qualified people.
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Where are our biologists, physists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, just to name a few?
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Faisal bhai, very much there. There are departments for these subjects in all major universities and students do study these subjects. We just don't hear about them that much but they are definitely there. I know some people who studied these subjects in university and are doing related jobs now in Pakistan and abroad.
its not that simple irem. we really do have a dearth of people actually wanting to become biologists, physicists, geologists, chemists etc. The people you do find in universities are those who couldnt get into engineering or medicine or mba.
i would hazard that one factor apart from culture would be the fact there in my opinion a geologist would find tough going in pakistan, career-wise.
In Pakistan, most people jump towards majors without knowing what it is all about.
What is really said is that people in Pakistan do not know much about what engineering is really about. Computer Engineering is not really just software and a bit of computer hardware. Its mostly electronics, and what drives it, for instance it could be microcontrollers and their programming languages. Sadly, there is no electronics industry in Pakistan, so this field is not really recommended in Pakistan, but what the new instituitions in Pakistan is done is that they offer a Computer Science curriculam with the name of a computer engineering degree, which makes the whole thing very goofy.