Engineering education in Pakistan is flourishing ever faster. Engineering graduates usually got the masses' attention."Pakistan is the land of engineers and doctors"
Most of us hear the above-mentioned quote since childhood. Engineering graduates were among an initial lot of emigrants to western developed countries from Pakistan. Not only skilled laborers but among them a significant number of qualified doctors and engineering graduates also traveled west. Pakistan is a populated country and rich in human resources.Engineering education was a prime focus since independence. which is a plus point for a developing economy. Our country has diverse cultures and its terrain makes life easy throughout the year. Almost every part of the country, we can find quality institutes including universities that provide engineering education in Pakistan.
However, the Education system still needs further efforts from the government and the private sector. At present there are more than 125 engineering institutes. While many university campuses are offering engineering education are inline. Every year more than 15,000 engineering graduates got registration at Pakistan Engineering Council. But the job market, we are unable to create and offer jobs to all these engineering graduates. Due to various reasons including their lack of field experience. That is why the regulations of engineering must be stringent and reinforced. So the quality of engineering education in the practical fields in the engineering sector may be assured.
Creating jobs for engineering graduates within the country is most important. So that to utilize these bright minds. Otherwise, they will emigrate to other countries with a better job market. At the moment Pakistan Engineering Council offer registration of engineers in 29 categories. According to the discipline of these engineering graduates. Registration with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) is mandatory for engineering graduates with engineering degrees. Without it they are not eligible to get an engineering sector job. This ultimately affect their salary packages. Also the experience will not be counted as in non-engineering cadre.
Therefore, choosing an accredited engineering program. A Pakistan Engineering Council recognized campus, batch, institute which offers engineering education is a must. That is the basic requirement. A student who takes admission in an unaccredited program of the university. which is doesn't fulfills the required eligibility criteria required for admission. The engineering graduate will not be registered at Pakistan Engineering Council as an engineer. Even a degree holder engineering graduate without PEC registration may have no use whatsoever in the engineering sector.
Our education system doesn't support intellectual growth as well. Mostly based on grades/marks obtained. Many students enrolled in different engineering programs just to get an engineer tag with their names. That is for higher social status among their peers. While some others forced by their parents and guardians. Who also don’t have much understanding of choosing engineering program. This causes problems for engineering graduates in the job market. When these students complete their engineering degrees. They face difficulties getting jobs in the respective fields. And sometimes not worthy response getting a reasonable job. Very few of these engineering graduates who still have resources to travel abroad. They try their luck abroad but most others remain unemployed. They are forced to do non-engineering jobs within the country.
The government cannot provide jobs to all these engineering graduates. which are growing in numbers. To counter this issue private sector need to come up and encourage entrepreneurship from the university level for these graduates. While the government must facilitate those organizations for better employment opportunities be created within the country. A higher number of institutes may not be required. But quality education according to the market requirement is needed. Planning and counseling at the government level for students required.
At the time of admission these students must be aware of the situation they are going to face later. The government is required to priorities to resolve these issues. The government must look into this matter. Proper planning to get better results is the need of time. Employment to these engineers may be regularized. While admission in different categories must be required prior approval from planning division after every few years.
At the time of admission these students must be aware of the situation they are going to face later. The government is required to priorities to resolve these issues. The government must look into this matter. Proper planning to get better results is the need of time. Employment to these engineers may be regularized. While admission in different categories must be required prior approval from planning division after every few years.
These are the categories that can be accommodated better. While taking admission in an engineering program. All such things must be kept in mind to avoid inconvenience later after completion of the degree.
A country's future is bright if Engineers are facilitated in the field to apply their skills within their own country.
(Writer is Master's Degree holder in Media Sciences & former online complaint in-charge at Pakistan Engineering Council)
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