The latest economic survey of Pakistan has revealed that the country has 269 universities, a number that has doubled compared to a decade ago, encompassing both private and public institutions.

Being the fifth most populous country in the world, with one of the largest youth populations, more than 60 percent of its population is under the age of 30, and the demand for higher education institutions is quite high.

However, the increase in universities has not translated into the progress of the nation. Every year, these universities produce thousands of graduates who join the army of unemployed people, as highlighted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), which states that over 31 percent of educated youth in the country are unemployed.

This situation forces us to evaluate the sustainability of the education system and its modus operandi, because the issue lies not just in quantity but in quality. The majority of the universities in the country are not equipping their graduates with market-relevant skills, leaving them ill-prepared to meet the demands of the modern economy.

Worldwide, universities are the hubs for knowledge creation, growth, innovation and critical thinking. They provide such ideas and........

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