USI First Draft

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University Student Issues & Pro Peace Activism

Pro peace activism of higher education students

Students issues in light of education stakeholders

Peaceful Campus-A Socio-Economic need for Students

It is untrue that student activists did not care for student issues. One pet demand was to waive fees. There were always problems of admissions, class rooms or other infrastructure, and books

and curriculum that we addressed and agitated over. (Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo) 1

I think that student unions should be confined to in-house politics, separated from main stream politics. Student and teacher bodies should sit together in discussion forums and resolve issues.

Students should have no association with national or regional political parties. They should rather strengthen their departmental societies and work for educational and student issues.

(Kahsif Bukhari) 2

These two different approaches to solve the student issues have come up with the change of time and the change in history of student politics in Pakistan. Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo (1982) andMr. Kashif Bukhari (2007) were regarded as popular student leaders of their time.

But it is a matter of the fact that Pakistans public university campuses have been ignited withstudent union rivalries in the past on the name of resolving of student issues. Instead,controlled by some political parties, the leaders of these rival groups have acted only for theirown vested interests, these handpicked students/leaders have damaged the real cause of student unions/associations/groups. Their real cause of establishment which they didnt prove was to support and highlight the voices of those aggrieved students who could not obtain justice in their rights for academics and non academics.

In international scenario and particularly in Canada, protests have a history of being peacefuland are generally fighting for tuition costs and student rights. They consist of picket signs,petitions and such; violence is rare. Student unions do not have a history of instigating orparticipating in major riots or violent protests; university students in general have. 3

1 Iqbal Haider Butt, Revisiting Student Politics in Pakistan 2009 2 ibid3 PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 2008


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Unfortunately, as the importance and influence of students unions increased over the years,political parties' interference increased and became more direct in many cases. Elections,especially in large universities, became more expensive and money started flowing fromsources outside the campuses in a bid to influence the elections. The initial trend of

academically bright students leading the students' union elections was replaced by thedomination of students unions by the favorites of one or the other political party. 4

Higher education student issues culminated into problems and then aggressions in universities,was the result of students needs which when did not properly addressed by differentstakeholders of higher education. The policy makers, the administration in universities, thestudent union leaders and some time the students themselves are blamed for the wholesituation.

Students are the reflection of education system of any country. When they reflect good and

successful in their practical life, there are termed as the successful outcome of that system. Onthe contrary there images along with their attached degree awarding institutions are blamed inevery professional organization.

The Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10 states that major issues with the highereducation sector in Pakistan are poor standard of faculty and lack of training / capacity building,low enrollment in higher education, minimal relevance of higher education to national needsand lack of compatibility to International Standards, low quality of research and poorgovernance of Universities.

Student organizations dealt with student problems but they were not made elections issue. T heelections were not fought on ideological issues. (Dr. Khurshid Husnain) 5

Politics has only one meaning, solution of problems and representation. Student politics ismeant for solving student problems and to ensure their representation. (Kamran Khan -ISF)6

Mr. Kamran Khan has further explained these problems as:

Problems regarding admissions Problems regarding fees and dues etc Problems about accommodation in hostels Problems concerning traveling through university buses Problems of evening students about facilitation of buses and hostels

4 PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 20085 Iqbal Haider Butt, Revisiting Student Politics in Pakistan 2009 6 ibid


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Heres the question arises that if student organizations can sit under one roof for six days in aseminar held by Bargad Organization , why cant they act together in a peaceful manner andusing through democratic tools of protest, raise student voices in a better way to solve studentsissues. Bargad, the only youth organization in Pakistan has had a series of activities in the

framework to promote democracy and peace-building on campuses. The series of activitiesinclude Peace Skill Development Course, National Survey on Student Politics 2008, a studyRevisiting Student Politics in Pakistan followed the Vice Chancellors Conference, All PakistanStudent Leaders Conference and the TOT. 7

The last activity of this series a Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on Youth Action forDemocracy and Peace- building on Campuses , was a key activity of the Project Democracy and Peace-building for Youth on University Campuses which is intended to create youth leadershipon campuses by promoting the values of democracy and peace. One and the foremost objectiveof this TOT was to develop peace-building and women leadership training manual which willestablish grounds to motivate universities to introduce and implement a discipline geared toproduce trained and professional politician.

The ultimate purpose of these series of activities was to promote democracy and peace-building in Pakistan universities. The need was generated due to the unimpressive role of students unions and bodies in the past and especially in the context to resolve students issuesinside and outside campuses. The need was also the outcome of policy makers andadministrators secondary importance towards resolving of stude nt issues and hence thestudents were forced to take undemocratic norms of protests in campuses in the absence of

their training on democracy and peace-building. Bargad has tried to create a network of youngpermanent faculty staff members who could act as their Advocates for democracy and peace-building in their respective universities so that students can take right approach in protestsdemanding the solution of their issues. Bargad, has also circulated a questionnaire regardingstudent issues in campuses among the administrators of 19 universities so as to pin point thestudents core issues of academic, non-academic and research.

For Bargad Advocates of democracy and peace-building in campuses, it was necessary that theyhave a similar bend of mind towards democratic concepts and also they have clearer picture intheir minds about student issues in the campuses. So a performa targeting student issues in theuniversities in academic, non-academic programs and in relevance with governance andadministrative support issues was developed as part of TOT workshop for Bargad Advocates.Understood that different universities have different issues, yet a general trend was seeking

7 Iqbal Haider Butt: All Pakistan Student Leaders Conference on Peace-Building in Campuses 2009


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through this quantitative data so that these Advocates would have better understanding onstudent issues and it can be the basis for student action without resorting to violence.

Survey Findings-Student Issues in the Universities

Students problems are manifold. Some researches (Brookfield, 1990; Mukhtar, 2001; Rasheed,2003; Isani & Virk, 2003; and Nisar, 2003) describe the following problems that most of theuniversity students face: 8

Classroom Problems

The shortage of teaching staff, extra responsibilities with teaching a large number of students inclass, unpleasant environment for teaching, non-availability of teaching aids, unawareness of teachers from learning experiences of students and uninterested/irrelevant studies areclassroom problems faced by university teachers.

Administrative Problems

These problems are basically related to administration. Misuse of administrative power of officers and political influence on the promotion of teachers make the university studentssuffer.

Economic Problems

Teachers are mostly low-paid employees and same is true for university teachers as regard the

demand of work expected of them. Similarly university teachers face residence and relatedproblems which cause low or dissatisfaction among them. They cannot teach well causing adecrease in the standard of education.

Social Problems

Social problems of teachers affect the quality of teaching. Teachers position in society andtheir relations with community, colleagues and administrator affect the teaching process.

Students problems and issues related to various academic disciplines such as quality of teaching, teaching/learning facilities, job/entrepreneurship oriented education, andpersonal/social development were quantified through this survey. However the student issuesidentified by this survey have been classified into academics and non academic and in relationto governance and support issues.

8 Shaukat Ali Raza, Dr. Muhammad Amir Hashmi & Rehmat ullah: Major Issues and Problems in Higher Education;The University Students Perspective www.apqn.org
http://www.apqn.org/http://www.apqn.org/http://www.apqn.org/http://www.apqn.org/


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Students of higher education has certain needs to be fulfilled for smooth completion of theirstudies. These needs are of academic and non academic in classification. These needs can alsobe classified as in-campus and out-of-campus needs.

In-Campus/Academic Needs of Student Bargad Survey

When talking of in campus needs, we come across with quality education, class roomsenvironment, student-teacher assessments, curriculum related issues etc. When asked aboutthese problems individually from the university authorities through the survey, we came acrosswith the following results:

1. Time and space management within the campuses

Student-teachers separate meetings besides class room interaction have a very positive role intheir studies as well in their social uplifting. Class room teaching time should not be consideredas a private meeting time between student and teacher as most of the student are shy toexpress their feelings in front of their class mates.

Through this survey it has been found that though there is no issue of such places where suchmeetings can be arranged , however the time management and the effective use of theseplaces is lacking in Pakistani universities.

The survey has revealed that only 26% universities have specifically scheduled their times forstudent teacher meetings separately. On the other hand, the survey respondent has positively

responded that they have common facility rooms for teachers inside the campuses. Near about70% of respondent positively replied against this question.

2. Orientation with course schedule and curriculum

Yes26%

No74%

Is there specific time fixed formeeting of students with

teachers?

Yes68%

No32%

Do teachers have commonrooms in the departments?


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Curriculum reviews are necessary to share with students at start of the year. It bringsemployability and work-related learning needs. Curriculum sharing with student is that muchimportant that it does not cover only the academic subject knowledge but also includes the

opportunity for students to engage with alumni or employers working in a related field. Thisalso creates contemporary relevance of the appropriate subjects.

Similarly the course schedule and course reader are important things to provide studentsbefore hand at start of their semester. It gives them orientation with the course they are goingto study in detail and hence increases their learning curve about the subject.About 75% universities have positively responded in the current survey to all questions relatedto curriculum, course schedule and course readers providing and sharing with students at startof the academic year and during the semester.

3. Evaluation of teachers

SET (Students Evaluation of Teachers) is a part of getting improved feedback in terms of ensuring quality education. This is mostly done against the performance of part time teachersor for those post graduate students who choose teaching as a profession.

68% universities have claimed through this survey that they have a proper system of teachersevaluation by the student. In absence of such evaluation system, students are forced to dealwith incompetent teachers during the whole academic years thus compromising their right of getting quality education.

Yes74%

No26%

Do teachers provide a coursereader to the students in

advance?

Yes79%

No21%

Does your university sharesubject curriculum withstudents at start of the

academic year?


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4. The impact of visiting vs. permanent faculty

It is important that any university have more permanent faculty members against visitingfaculty. It gives teachers peace of mind and they can concentrate more on imparting quality

education and skills in their students. But sometime the role of visiting faculty memberincreases the healthy competition between permanent and visiting teachers through a systemof teachers evaluation by the student.

On the question of defined criteria for selection of visiting faculty, 74% of the universities replypositively but in terms of ratio between visiting and permanent faculty there is a spilt answeravailable. 90% permanent faculty is acquired by 7 universities out of total responding 19universities. While 5 universities each have 80% and 70% permanent faculty with them.

picture

5. Research activities

5.1.1. Resource availabilityResearch is always established and proved when it is properly publicized or disseminated. Theone important way all this is through departmental newsletter/magazines/journals. A vision of a positive postgraduate experience reflects among others by saying that he has access toadequate research facilities. It also includes that he feels himself part of a wider research

community.Online journals are particularly significant for postgraduate and research student. When askedabout the resource availability of research facilities to students and their participation throughthis survey, 58% universities responded that their students take part in publishing of articles innewsletters/magazines/journals.

Yes68%

No32%

Is the system of teachers'evaluation by the students

adopted?


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5.1.2. Participatory behavior of students and teachers(To Ask Usman)5.1.3. Research updating issues

(To ask Usman)6. Examination system

Assessments through examination is a tool for learning. And getting feedback from markers onassessment certainly improve leanings in students. If students are not told what they did wrongin the examination, how can they improve? 63% responded positively on the question of sharing papers with the students.

The administration of examinations holding and declaring the results is also very important forstudents to take part in examinations smoothly and without any wasting precious time inconfirming examination dates and result announcement dates.

The survey found out that all universities take examination in presence of teachers. 95%universities posted exam schedules in advance but only 68% posted schedule for examinationresults in advance. 95% universities have opted the provision of cumulative GPA with thestudents and 63% universities took one week time procedure for awarding cumulative GPA.

Yes58%

No42%

Do the departmental newsletters/magazines/ journals also publish

articles of students?

Yes53%

No47%

Do the departments publishtheir own newsletters/magazines/ journals?


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Non-Academic Issues

1. Provision of career counseling services & centers within campuses

Students would always take advantage of the opportunities universities and colleges makeavailable to them, if they are to be in the best possible position to secure employment post-university. They also believe that an effective university-wide employability strategy, highprofile careers services and high quality work placement programmes are critical factors inimproving their employability.

Yes95%

No5%

Is the schedule for examinationposted in advance?

Yes68%

No32%

Is the schedule for examinationresults posted in advance?

Yes63%

No37%

Is there a system of sharing paperswith the students?

195%

25%

Is there a procedure for provision of Cumulative GPA with the students?


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An important finding of non academic section is that 74% universities have career counselingcenters but at the same time 58% of these centers are without certified career counselingexperts. Similarly 58% universities do not have even job placement centre and 53% do notarrange job fairs.

2. Students Participation in Departmental Societies and Alumni

The social/pastoral side of higher education students demands that they must have access tovolunteering, post graduate studies associations, the student unions, department societies andall such activities to groom themselves.

A mix response has been viewed on the social development side of students. 84% universitiesencouraged their students to take part in community services while 63% universities do notbound departments to have their own student societies. Such lack of interest is furtherstrengthened when we see that 79% universities do not bound departments to have their ownalumni organization.

Yes74%

No26%

Does your university have aCareer Counseling Centre?

Yes42%No

58%

Does your university havecertified Career Counseling

experts?

Yes42%No

58%

Does your university havecertified Career Counseling

experts?Yes47%No

53%

Has your university ever organizeda Job Fair?


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3. Selection of teachers through gender quota

Only 5% universities apply a minimum gender quota for selecting teachers. 95% universities do

not apply minimum gender quota for selection of teachers which may prove as a hurdle forwomen teachers to get jobs.

4. The presence of sexual harassment policy and its application

Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature or the unwelcome orinappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. Particularly the femaleteachers, employees or students in the Higher Education Institutions are subject of sexualharassment however, male harassment can not be ruled out. Complaints made against such

actions by the opponents may be genuine, in- genuine or transplanted under some malice andintent to damage the reputation of person against whom the complaint is filed.

On the questions of sexual harassment policy important reflections have been found out intheir respective campuses. Even the universities which answered positive on adopting of sexualharassment policy, do not fully comply with enforcing it. The aggregate answer is that only 32%

Yes37%

No63%

Is every department bound tohave its students' society?

Yes21%

No79%

Is every department bound tohave its alumni organization?

Yes5%

No

95%

Does your university have aminimum gender quota for

selecting teachers?


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universities have adopted sexual harassment policy whereas only 26% are looking interested inenforcing it though.

Governance and Administrative Issues

1. Provision of criminal behavioral policy

2. Notifications of admission and eligibility criteria for students3. Student support services;

Yes26%

No74%

Has your university ever

applied the Sexual HarassmentPolicy?

Yes32%

No68%

Does your university have a

Sexual Harassment Policy?

Yes79%

No21%

Does your university have adefined policy against criminal

behaviour on campus?

Yes

90%

No10%

Does your university have acentralized admissions office?

Yes100%

Does the university declareminimum eligibility criteria?

Yes95%

No5%

Is a guide for admissions postedon university website or

otherwise?


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A new interactive website, a one stop shop helpdesk, or an integrated handbook provide asolution for new comers enquiries related to admission, hostel accommodation, or travelling.

As long as the governance and administrative support issues for students are concerned, it

seems that all the respondent universities have thoroughly adopted rules and procedures interms of centralized admission office policy, minimum eligibility criteria for students. 90%universities posted admission guide on websites and also the students get orientation aboutthe department/university after they get admission. Importantly 90% universities haveanswered positively on the centralized hostel vacancy information system. Differentuniversities take different time period in awarding a student hostel room which varies fromone week up till eight weeks. The survey has showed issues on administrative side like onconsolidated card policy and on volunteer services of already enrolled students to the newlyadmission seekers.

Yes53%

No47%

Does your university have asystem of volunteers for helping

students in admissions?

Yes

90%

No10%

Are students given orientationabout the department/university after they get

admissions?

Yes

100%

Is the schedule and routes of university buses madeaccessible to students?

Yes

90%

No10%

Is there a Centralized HostelVacancy Information System in

the university?


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HEC & Student Issues

The universities are a catalyst for change, revival of creative thought and process, freedom of expression and speech, and of public debate on issues of national importance. The universitiesare the grooming grounds for future leaders of this nation, and this is where they need to bereared to become mature and responsible citizens so that Pakistan develops and prospers to join the comity of fast developing nations.

For achieving the goals of human development and of transition to a knowledge economy, HECadopted the strategy targeted at the provision of an environment conducive to qualityeducation in all the higher education institutions through faculty and infrastructuredevelopment, support to the faculty and students for teaching and research, and throughbrining equity, quality, transparency and efficiency in the operation of higher educationinstitutions. The first five year medium term development framework, launched in 2005identified access, quality and relevance as the key challenges facing the sector at that time.Programs were launched to support original research at universities, align the academicprogram structure to the three tier bachelor, master and doctoral program structureimplemented in the rest of the world, and ensure adherence to internationally benchmarkedquality standards and processes.

The mission of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is to facilitate institutions of highereducation to serve as engine of growth for the socio- economic development of Pakistan. HECis faced with three key challenges (a) Quality (b) Access and (c) Relevance. ( Javaid R. Laghari,Chairman HEC-MTDF 2011-15)

The above challenges recorded in the 2 nd Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF)2011-15 are the same as they were first recorded in 1 st Medium Term Development Framework

Yes63%

No37%

Does the university release oneconsolidated card for using itsfacilities i.e. University Card,Central/ Dept. Library Card,

Computer Lab/ - Bus Card, Hostel


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(2005-10). It means that the overall situation of quality education has not improved. Hence therequirements of students at the campuses remain the same as it were five years ago. Althoughsome quantitative increase in quality has been highlighted in the MTDF 2011-15 yet the realpictures of Higher Education Institutions has not developed which is evident through this survey

of Student Issues in the Universities conducted by Bargad in 19 Universities of Pakistan.

Since the very day of independence, the higher education could not achieve its proper place ineducation scenario of Pakistan resulting in Lower Product Standard and enhanced number of unemployed graduates.

The present system of college education provides to the student a little choice of disciplines,however, they have to study many subjects which are neither relevant to their presentcurriculum nor for future studies or employment. A very small number of college studentsbecome doctor, engineer or scientists and the majority try their luck in general education. Some

of them are definitely successful in getting good jobs through competitive examination by therest cause increase in the number of unemployed population of the country. To sum up, wemay list the major weaknesses of college education in the following manners: Irrational policymaking: haphazard changes. Sticking with the Pre-Independence Colonial legacies. Highereducation without determining future goals. In-adequacy in educational environment: Politicalpolarization among college Students. Not developing indigenous model of higher education. 9

Student Unions & Student Issues

Students' unions have been able to rally for better facilities, improvement in academics and thelike. They have also been able to mobilise the student body to show their support for oropposition to certain policies or steps of the government and respective institutions of the day.

A major part of students' union activities consisted of activities such as Debates, DeclamationContests, Poetry Sessions, Music Concerts, etc. and these promoted competitive spirit amongstudents to excel in various fields other than studies. Elections provided an excellentopportunity to learn how a democratic process worked. It promoted democratic cultureincluding tolerance to opposing views, accepting verdict of the majority, working with othersincluding the opponents. It also helped students acquire organizational skills, inter-personal

abilities and enhance communication skills. 10

But it is a matter of the fact that Pakistans public university campuses have been ignited withstudent union rivalries in the past. Controlled by some political parties, the leaders of these

9 Sajida Mukhtar, Ijaz Ahmad Tatlah, Muhammad Saeed , AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN : International Journal of Academic Research (March 2011) 10PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 2008


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rival groups have acted only for their own vested interests and these handpickedstudents/leaders have damaged the real cause of student unions/associations/groups. Theirreal cause of establishment was to support and highlight the voices of those aggrieved studentswho could not obtain justice in their rights for academics and non academics.

This violent perspective of student unions in the campuses have produced a negative imageamong academia, government and parents and they have voiced against their existence in thepast. To alleviate this negative image and promoting the cause of pro-peace, student centeredand women-friendly politics in campuses, BARGAD organized an All Pakistan Student LeadersConference on Peace building in Campuses for six days (19-24 July) in Lahore. This was a rareoccasion to build political support against youth violence and extremism that has been one of the main reasons to ban student politics in Pakistan in 1984. It was also a historic event inwhich more than 80 student leaders belonging to all mainstream student organizations andexisting student councils from every province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated.

The key agenda was to ensure pro-peace, student centered and women-friendly politics incampuses. Taking all stakeholders into discussion the aim was to set a minimum agenda forstudent politics in campuses. This conference was part of BARGADs programme on Peace -building and Youth Cooperation. It provided a rare opportunity to organized student bodies toprepare for collective student action through peaceful resolution of disputes in campuses andto direct student potential for meaningful politics in Pakistan rather than pursing the violentand extremist politics done in the past.

One thing was evident from the speeches of student leaders during the conference that they allwere set for working together in shaping the new course to politics in campuses. During theopen house discussion of the conference, the importance of student issues and its link with theviolent protests in the campuses was found. According to Mr. Kabeer Afghan fromPashtunkhwa Students Organization,

Lack of leadership and confining students issues would le ad towards violence and extremismwithin campuses.

He further stressed upon the need of linkage of student unions with the political parties and

said,

As well if the student unions are separated from political parties it will lead to a Mafia building. Therefore a code of conduct is required to enhance the linkages between student

unions and their parent parties.


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Mr. Amir Jalal, representing University Student Federation from Punjab University on the otherhand said,

students do not need any backing of political parties as they are knowledgeable and have asmuch as necessary capacity/capability to perceive and resolve their own issues.

It was also pointed out that the educational policies are not devised within the campuses so thestudents are expected to chase their issues outside the campuses along with a linkage withtheir mainstream parties. Mr. Mubashar Luqman, a well known journalist/analyst, during openhouse discussion took a moderate view of resolving of student issues through keeping violentstrategy in protests. He said that,

A minor violence should be a part of student unions manifestos, because at times the rights of students are violated in such a manner that the only answer is a strong protest, because

blocking everything is not a solution.

Recommendations and Conclusions

BARGADs survey findings and various activities in pursuance to the promotion of peace -building in campuses draw some recommendations for policy makers, administrators of universities, the student unions and organizations like:

Universities should design such structure of academic schedules where students feelthemselves as active partner with their learning like taking suggestions on course

development and content wherever appropriate, engaging in assessments and in waysof being assessed, in peer studies and mentoring each other

It seems apparently that in presence of infrastructure availability as common rooms,the time management is not being carried out in an efficient manner so that studentteacher interaction can positively be drawn out. Student need a separate timeallocation with their teachers after the classes or it may be in the break time. Thecommon rooms facility of teachers can be used of such activities.

offering them part time teaching positions after their post graduations Research facilities should be adequately provided to students so that they can pro-

actively and on a wider level become member of research community. An interestingexample is a recent programme launched by Pakistans Higher Education Commissionin science, technology and engineering which links Pakistani universities tocounterparts in nine research renowned universities in OECD countries. As one of theUnited Nations Education -9 countries (those with the highest illiteracy rates and verylarge youth populations), Pakistan is counting on these sorts of measures in


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international academic cooperation to help address the critical and urgent problems of its development agenda. 11

Feedback is very important for students learning to maximize their potential. It shouldcover all aspects of their learning, teaching, supportive roles, volunteer works, extra

curricular etc they are involved in. A wider linkage among universities in credit transfers Adequate study resources like libraries, resource centres, access to e-books, journal

access should reach out to post graduate students so that they can use these resourcesin sufficiently long hours

Identify ways in which university careers services can be better supported to meet thespecific needs of particular student groups (e.g. disabled students, and postgraduatestudents)

Increase flexibility and innovation in course structures and modes of delivery

Properly dissemination of sexual harassment policy in campuses and ableadministrators should be appointed who could perform transparent investigation oncharges of sexual harassment

Student unions should play an active role in framing of non-academic activities forstudents and for this they should help out university administration voluntarily.

Sports competition among unions, departmental bodies, inert-university should beheld on regular basis.

Currently, common challenges for postgraduate students include: patchy information, adviceand guidance; financial issues (e.g. lack of access to student loans or research grants); variablesupport from supervisors and training for supervisors; insufficient teaching opportunities; lackof focus on the development of transferable skills; difficulty in accessing appropriateaccommodation and social isolation.

Students' unions have been able to rally for better facilities, improvement in academics and thelike. Students' unions have played a mentionable role in student mobilisation, involvement innational level movements and voiced their opinions on international issues as well. They havedemonstrated their concern for matters which may not necessarily have been in line with thestance taken by the establishment. Hence, organized student bodies have been able to create

an identity and importance of their own.

Student organizations, associations and student bodies if work together in a coherent approachcan play a vital role in resolving university student issues. Currently, most universities and

11 UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge: The Role of Post-Graduate Education in ResearchSystems ; 2008


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colleges have the students' societies in departments which cater to extra-curricular activitieslike debates and drama. The traditional elected Student Unions exist in only a handful of universities and some girls' colleges.

But the most concerning matter is this that a current survey by Pak Institute for Peace Studieshas showed that majority of students in higher education has turned down the option tobecome a part of any students politics joining through any organization or union presentlyworking in the country. Although majority of students have showed politically consciousbehavior in that survey by expressing their will to cast vote and to use the democratic processto bring about a change. 12 The need is to realize them the importance of students activism of democratic and peaceful norms and through which only they can get resolve their in-campusand out-of campus issues.

BARGAD, in this respect has taken an indirect initiative and held a TOT for young faculty

members of public universities and conferring them the title of BAGAD ADVOCATES fordemocracy and peace building. BARGAD has also held All Pakistan Student Leaders Conferenceand provided them an opportunity to draw their program in line with future politics incampuses and focusing on student issues.

The TOT workshop prepares young and mid-career university teachers to forge nation-widepartnership with BARGAD for improvement in non-academic programming and to facilitatestudent development through their democratic and non-violent participation in the system of higher education.

On political grounds, there are serious reservations on student unions and organizations withinthe educationists as expressed by the recommendations of the university VCs (2008) and manythose national politicians who have student activism background i.e. Jehangir Badr and KhawajaSaad Rafique are strongly in favour of delinking student organizations with political parties.

In an unprecedented move Vice Chancellors of all public and private universities of Pakistangave a rejoinder to their previous assertions on the student politics (2 009). They dont think it appropriate to lift the ban at the present critical situation of the country. They rather supportthe growth of societies and associations within campuses. They further accuse the student

unions of being a source of violence and disruption in studies.

Although the present government has announced to lift the ban on student politics, yet itsnotification is still pending and by procedural standards the announcement of lifting ban might

12 A Survey Report by Pak Institute for Peace Studies: Radicalization: Perceptions of Educated Youth in Pakistan 2010


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be a political intent but not an action implemented. The ban on student politics is stilloperative.

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