News Desk |

International universities hold ‘chairs’ with representatives of other countries. These are filled by educated individuals who hold doctorates on their nation’s history, geography, national language etc. Such individuals then teach courses on said subjects to engage the international youth.

As obvious, these chairs play a very significant role in building their country’s image on the international forum. But Pakistan, unfortunately, has been neglecting this responsibility for over 9 years now. On the other hand, India’s all 300 Chairs in foreign universities are said to be filled. Some eligible people were recommended for the vacant post by a selection board some years ago, but no decision has so far been taken for their appointment.

The Ministry of Education in January this year has reportedly decided to fill only six of the 14 vacant Pakistan chairs.

The Ministry of Education in January this year has reportedly decided to fill only six of the 14 vacant Pakistan chairs. These chairs are set up on a reciprocal basis and their holders deliver lectures aimed at promoting Urdu, teachings of Quaid-i-Azam, Allama Iqbal, culture and history of Pakistan as well as improving the image of the country in the world. Said chairs are supposed to be instrumental in building the image of the country

Pakistan chairs, called Urdu & Pakistan Studies Chair, Quaid-i-Azam Chair and Allama Iqbal Fellowship Chair exist in 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Kazakhstan and China. It has been noted that the Pakistan Chair in Columbia University, US, has been lying vacant for over 12 years, in Tehran University, Iran, for almost 10 years and in Jamia Azhar, Egypt, for nearly 8 years.

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Scholars with high qualifications, supported with PhD degrees and strong teaching background are considered for said Pakistan Chairs; however, it has been observed that the authorities concerned always find it difficult to pick up such persons for the post. Many blame the successive governments for their lack of interest and some blame Pakistanis who don’t volunteer for these positions.

As obvious, these chairs play a very significant role in building their country’s image on the international forum.

Everyone is aware of Bangladesh’s and India’s growth in education since they left us behind, some half a decade ago. Not only do they take full responsibility for their population’s representation on the global forum but also play their roles in strengthening it. Several universities abroad have institutes named after and funded by rich and eligible Indian business; reports claim that they reach close to 200.

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For example, the Chowdhry Institute for Bangladesh Studies in UC Berkeley – it champions the study of Bangladesh’s cultures, peoples and history. Such eendeavours have not been seen to be made by eligible Pakistani individuals.

They proudly sponsor Pakistani students through scholarships and loans to study abroad, however, no business tycoon has taken the responsibility of opening a cultural centre to work on Pakistan’s image on this platform. This lack of involvement is clearly seen in Pakistan’s middle-aged and older population who are too busy minting money and struggling in politics to think about ‘supplementary’ obligations like these.