Universities must lead Pakistan’s economic agenda | Political Economy

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Akistan stands at a critical juncture where its economic weaknesses threaten not only prosperity but also national security. External debt is rapidly limited to 80 % of GDP, permanent fiscal deficit, inflation pressure and chronic energy crisis, despite external pressure, the country’s ability to operate independently is rapidly limited. Weak tax collection, high unemployment – especially in youth – and limited participation in global markets further enhances this problem. These structural challenges are in danger of being public confidence, political stability and internal unity.

However, there is an opportunity to improve these difficulties. Increasing the tax base, investing in renewable energy and infrastructure, increasing exports through domestic industrial development, strengthening import alternatives through self -reliance and strengthening digital governance are all well -recognized policy solutions. Nevertheless, key obstacles are elsewhere: the state’s ability to effectively design and implement these reforms.

From here, the role of higher education becomes important. Economic change not only requires good ideas, but capable entities and capable people also need to guide and implement policy, current and future. Pakistan’s higher education institutions should keep themselves in place in this effort to develop their ability.

Our universities have often been slow to developing strong programs in public policy, leadership and economic governance. The lack of interfaith, practically based public policy education has played a vital role in the difference of permanent expertise in our policy -making institutions. We need to close this gap, we need world -class schools of public policy and executive education centers focused on economic governance and reforms. These centers should be equipped with analytical tools, moral grounding and systems to young graduates and middle careers who are thinking necessary to deal with the complex policy issues.

Global best behavior offers valuable inspiration. For example, in Singapore, Lee Koan Yu School of Public Policy and the Belotak School of Government in Oxford is widely regarded as the preparation of policy leaders, which combines academic hardship with practical decision -making. For example, in Singapore, the development of a strong, meritic civil service has been possible through the target investment in policy education and the integration of research in national planning. These models show that public policy education, when associated with state reform agendas, can produce high influence in public institutions.

In order to remove the gap in public leadership, the universities of Pakistan will have to take the lead in the design and supply of public policy, governance and strict educational programs under leadership. These offerings should include modular certification and vocational training courses as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees. Who are designed for middle careers and senior level officials.

High effects of teaching tools-such as imitation, policy labs and field-based research-embed down the curriculum to solve the problem implied in real-world conditions and promote decision-making. Current programs in economics, political science and business should also go through curriculum reforms to incorporate policy literacy and governance innovation. This wider integration will help eliminate the growing disconnection between educational knowledge and practical policy -making.

The important thing is that universities should resolve why the previous reforms failed. The record of Pakistan’s implementation is often forced by bureaucratic connecting, political interference and lack of policy continuity. These challenges can be dealt with by displaying leaders with invalid leadership capabilities, displaying a political economy based on the system and reform system. Such content must be embedded in both formal education and executive training.

To ensure compatibility and long -term effects, universities will have to cultivate key stakeholders: federal and provincial governments, legislative agencies, international development agencies, private sector actors and global educational institutions. These partnerships may include government departments embedded fellowships for students and young professionals, joint policy pilots with provincial planning units and policy research centers that create solutions with ministries.

Universities should also develop a system to assess the real world’s impacts of their programs: Graduate placement tracking in policy -making roles, analyzing the policy influence of research results, and developing a long -term impression loop with former students in public service. These indicators can help close the loop between education, policy and performance.

There should be a special focus on dealing with youth unemployment. Empowering universities is not just about governance. It is also a means to use Pakistan’s population profit. With a two -third population of about two -year -olds under the age of 30, making the skilled cadre of young professionals in governance, regulation and business capabilities can change Pakistan’s long -term development pace.

Executive education, in particular, should be a national priority. For current policy makers, government employees and technocrats, high -speed programs can promote evidence -based policy -making, can improve regulatory design and promote strategic implementation. Topics, such as financial responsibility, trade competitiveness, public private partnerships and digital innovation will have to gain the basics of these programs.

An excellent example of this is the Rising Executive Development Center at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, which offers high influence executive education for both corporate leaders and government officials. His partnership with government departments, including the training of senior government employees, reflects on how universities can directly develop in the public sector. Such models should copy and scale in Pakistan to make the urgent need for the urgent need of our economy, with practical compatibility.

The time has come for the university leaders to move forward with the explanation and purpose. If Pakistan is to achieve economic security, then our universities should be reformed as policy innovation and leadership development engines. This means moving beyond the traditional educational model and adopting the idea of ​​the University as a strategic partner in national construction. We should immediately invest in the construction of a strong public policy program, leadership academies and executive education centers, which are directly linked to the needs of the government, civil service and public institutions.

Universities should actively cooperate with federal and provincial institutions, international development partners and the private sector to share a practical solution to Pakistan’s most pressure governance challenges. By becoming a policy education and leadership training center, our universities can help our country prepare for public leaders immediately, ethical and insights as needed.

Pakistan will have to invest in human capital at all levels to achieve economic security and flexibility. Now this task is to work hurry and explanation – educational innovation with national development goals, promoting a new generation of leaders and making the culture of policy virtues. Only then can we create leadership to guide Pakistan to a more stable and sovereign economic future.

The author is the former Vice -Chancellor of Provost, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, and Government College University, Lahore. It can be contacted at smasghar.zaidi@gmail.com