Academia lags behind in
influencing policy: Dr. Valiuddin

Universities as think tanks is a very good topic and ‘Engineering Review’ always comes out with such good topics that invite us to think about it. Before looking into it, we should understand what think tank is, and how they work, and eventually come up with some finding and put forth recommendations that influence policies. This exercise is comprehensive encompassing numerous institutes, people, departments, etc. It is a research-based endeavor having far-reaching implications.
In our universities, a lot of research is being carried out in specific areas but it is not becoming part of the policy and we are lagging behind in influencing it.
For instance, in the field of cyber security, we have many experts who should be gotten in touch with for the security of data and secrets that our governments would require to secure. There should be some think tank that should give its input to formulate cyber security policy for the country. Yes, we have a policy but not the way it should be; all aspects of security are not covered in it.
In our universities, there is huge information on technical areas whose information could make any policy comprehensive as well as practical.
In terms of the recognition of universities as think tanks that should be utilized is at a very initial level. At the policy level, governments and the industry get minimum inputs from the university. There are many policies in which the universities do not have any role thus the policies are very limited whereas the input of the think tank can make them comprehensive. At times, things come to the universities as offshoots but they don’t get in touch with while formulating the policy.
How could universities secure the recognition that we are looking for?
There are many countries whose policies are based on the outcome of the research carried out by their think tanks. Thus, they are comprehensive and leave long-term implications for covering all aspects that a nation should look around in its best interest. We must follow the suit in Pakistan. Our issues, right from economy to society require similar effort to grow. We have also think tanks but they a fewer in number; they must be expanded. The work of such tanks is also not so open so that they can be reviewed.
We have seen universities doing a lot that also influences policies. It means it is a two-way process. Are universities and their work influence our policies?
These groups work in multiple ways like the work initiated by the governments in which the recommendations eventually went to the government. In another model, many big groups exist in developed countries and they influence policies by default with the support of the people who are affected by the findings of those groups or think tanks.
However, the universities in our country do not possess that much influence. We do not have such independent groups that’s why you cannot find any groups giving guidelines for the changes in the policies. There are some in the field of defense and economics. But in universities, this is not the case. Yes, this happens at a smaller scale but one does not see anything big from universities that influence policy.
I think the universities should make such forums together with the participation of the people from the industry.
What challenges do you face when you attempt to take your university to a higher level?
The bigger challenge is to change the perception of the university as we think teaching in the class is not enough. It is a restrictive concept whereas the role of the university is much bigger. It involves research, policymaking, and learning the art of society. The management has to decide what they have to focus on and what they expect from the faculty and departments.
We have done a comprehensive exercise in the SSUET and have executed the plan for becoming part of institutions and professional bodies. We have created a debate for enhancing the standards and this process will be expanded.
Amidst a flood of emerging technologies, how do you manage newer technologies besides what the university is already doing?
It is very important, it has changed many things, especially the education sector more specifically after the Covid – 19. The role of universities has been changed too. Look at the teaching methodology, how we were used to teaching and how it has changed now. Every university is pursuing Learning Management Systems. Now, the people impart education even from outside the university. Then, there is yet another aspect relating to newer technologies like AI and gathering of data in this context which helps you to accelerate the process.
Then we must know that we have to achieve the goals, supposed to have by 2030. If we fail, we may face restrictions. For example, we have to achieve our target as regards climate change and AI and new technologies will help using the data. The universities have to build the capacity to use all these things.
Are we recognizing these challenges in our universities, governments, and the industry?
There are many sections of universities and industry that recognize how important is this challenge. Numerous universities are working hard in this direction. Because it is about survival, especially in the period we are talking about. Because the world is fast becoming one and we cannot rule out that our education may slip out of our hands if we did not succeed to achieve our milestones. We have to be truly serious and have to accelerate it. For this, all three stakeholders—academia, industry, and government—are obligated to achieve targets.n