Fixing the Image of the Punjab University

We discuss individuals in a rejuvenating process of a system, which is impractical. This approach gives a deduction, exempt from ground realities. Instead, we should be conscious of systematic machinery which defines standards for our life span. People lead their lives according to these paradigms. If resistance is coming from any part of a system, we must address and cure the disordered section of the system. In a sociological context, this approach would diagnose the complexities of the societal framework. The Punjab University is no more a highly competitive institution in the Province.

The applicant ratio has declined to a large extent for admissions for fall 2022. In the academic year of 2020-2024, the number of applicants who applied for enrollment in the department of Physics lay in the range of one thousand to fifteen hundred. Data from the official site shows that this amount has declined to just 553 applicants for the academic session 2022-2026 in the same department. Similar trends have been viewed in other disciplines too. For instance, For this academic year, only 104 students applied for Bachelor in Computational Physics which was in the range of seven or eight hundred applicants last year. In light of my experience, multiple factors are responsible for this systematic fault.

For example, the resurgence of confrontations among unions in recent years, the decline in the quality of education, and mismanagement in the non-academic blocks are affecting the image of Punjab University. These facets are deteriorating the positive image of the largest institute in Asia. It is noticeable from my recent note on social media. I wrote that PU has the potential to become a fount of social change due to its diverse nature. My heart melted after reading the comment of followers. It was one of them: “Why are you defending this jungle-type institution? Hence, the factors that are responsible for the defamation of its name must be addressed and reversed.

Also read: Police caught factory making fake degrees of Punjab University

The primary reason behind the crucial role of Punjab University in social change is its diverse nature. Learners from all the regions of Pakistan come here and give the status of Mini-Pakistan to it. They bring vast cultural values along with them. The education imparted through diversity is so much more powerful. If we impulse pupils to remain confined to their unique ethnicities but become united, they can become a radical spring of revolution in the societal evolutionary process. The real muddle does not lay in the diverse nature of PU and student unions based on those unique ethnicities. Students of far-flung areas of the state join groups for their constitutional rights. The writer writes in his book: Homo Deus If you want to bring social change in the world, become a part of an effective organization. He continued, fifty people are more effective than 50 million people in the globe. At PU, student unions organize study circles weekly. So, student groups are not a real issue in their nature.

The concern lies in the structural paradigms of student unions. Students become divided in the pursuit of their unique cultural backgrounds. They forgot their common identity called “Pakistani” Senior officials of the institution should ascertain pupils about their impolite interests. In this regard, the administration can form a disciplinary committee of intellectuals that should implement defined agendas. The jury should function and should ingrain the identity of Pakistani among unions. One of the submissions is that organizations should nominate leadership personalities as heads. I hope that this refined mechanism of student groups will defray several issues. Another systematic factor that is deteriorating the image of PU is the staff having zero managerial skills. The admission committee headed by pro-VC issues a bit bland schedule of admission procedure. This year PU publicize fall admissions at that time when all other institutions closed their entrances. This aspect badly affected the admittance campaign.

PU is an institution of multiple schools, centers, and colleges; every block offers degrees in a unique stream of knowledge. Now, the plethora is that admission seeker are unaware of the specialty of the programs, the scope of the work market, etc. The suggestion is that faculties should announce the admission campaign separately. This trend will attract many talented freshers from all over the country. The inflexible semester system affects the experience of students, which leads to a bad reputation for the institution. The center at that time I am studying offers several complexities to pupils regarding examinations. The absence of recreational activities also affects the student experience. Consequently, the bad experience copulated on learners leads to a bad reputation for the University. Many other factors also exist. For instance, the ineffective role of student advisers, the implementation of old, impractical, and stagnant policies, etc. I need to write another column to address these crucial angles.