Pakistan set to open World's first ever complete fee free University

[The Eagle]

Pakistan set to open World's first ever complete fee free University
3 Jul, 2018

LAHORE – Pakistan is set to open the world’s first ever fee-free university in Kasur district, Punjab next month, in a bid to provide easy access to higher education in the country.

The Akhuwat University, some 50 kilometers from Lahore, will be operational on August 14, Independence Day with 600 students enrolled for three different master degrees.

READ MORE: Pakistans Dr. Amjad Saqib honoured with Queens Award for largest microfinance organisation "Akhuwat"
“We are establishing the first fee-free university in Pakistan where students will not have to pay any fee,” Dr Mohammed Amjad Saqib, executive director of Akhuwat , a micro-finance firm offering interest-free loans (Qarz-e-Hasna) in Pakistan, told Khaleej Times.

“This is some kind of long-term Qarz-e-Hasan. First you get education and pay after 5, 10 or 20 years, when you are able to return it; because remember that you got education but didn’t pay for it; but now when you have a job you can pay so that somebody else can also benefit,” he said.

Dr Amjad Saqib added that “education is ultimate solution of our problems. We can’t progress and compete with international community unless we are ahead in education. But it is a pity that a boy coming from a poor family may be able to complete 10-year education but can’t receive higher education. We are not doing justice with our talent”.

He pointed out that this residential university will be a national institute where 20 per cent of students will come from each province of Pakistan.

Akhuwat is already running a fee-free college in the provincial capital, housing more than 300 students from all provinces. It offers pre-medical, pre-engineering and ICT courses.

To get entry into the college, a student must obtain 75 per cent marks in matriculation examination followed by an examination conducted at the college.

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest institute for higher learning – the Allama Iqbal Open University, which boosts over a million student annual enrollment

 

[slapshot]

First partially free tu kar du bhai! No one is asking for free education, first increase the standard of education and reduce the fees that this nation is paying to get those worthless printed papers. Complete Fee Free

 

[Azadkashmir]

guarantee a job after you graduate than you can pay.

 

[313ghazi]

Despite all the pessemism and the negativity from members on this forum I think it's a great initiative. It will give people who couldn't dream of this opportunity a chance to get a degree.

 

[Sugarcane]

First partially free tu kar du bhai! No one is asking for free education, first increase the standard of education and reduce the fees that this nation is paying to get those worthless printed papers. Complete Fee Free

In case you are ignorant about Akhuwat then for your information it's a non profit organization http://www.akhuwat.org.pk

 

[Baby Leone]

I guess state should be more focused on Primary and secondary education to have 100% enrollments rather than higher education.

 

[slapshot]

In case you are ignorant about Akhuwat then for your information it's a non profit organization http://www.akhuwat.org.pk

Bhai jaan I am not questioning the intention I am just pointing out the reality. The reality is our universities doesn't even fall in international rankings and standards of education. If you want to give away free education you can also offer scholarships to deserving people in any university. Thing is our education system is so much flawed and is at the mercy of private sector costing the parents a fortune. How many people have invested in degrees and are jobless just look around you. The people who can affoard higher education are not getting the standard and quality they are paying for. Most not all universities are giving away degrees just for money. The need of time is to raise the quality of education and also reduce the price. Otherwise another university anther worthless degree on a piece of paper. peace...

 

[AfrazulMandal]

Sounds good.

But pretty sure this is not the worlds first.

 

[HariPrasad]

Pakistan set to open World's first ever complete fee free University
3 Jul, 2018

LAHORE – Pakistan is set to open the world’s first ever fee-free university in Kasur district, Punjab next month, in a bid to provide easy access to higher education in the country.

The Akhuwat University, some 50 kilometers from Lahore, will be operational on August 14, Independence Day with 600 students enrolled for three different master degrees.

READ MORE: Pakistans Dr. Amjad Saqib honoured with Queens Award for largest microfinance organisation "Akhuwat"
“We are establishing the first fee-free university in Pakistan where students will not have to pay any fee,” Dr Mohammed Amjad Saqib, executive director of Akhuwat , a micro-finance firm offering interest-free loans (Qarz-e-Hasna) in Pakistan, told Khaleej Times.

“This is some kind of long-term Qarz-e-Hasan. First you get education and pay after 5, 10 or 20 years, when you are able to return it; because remember that you got education but didn’t pay for it; but now when you have a job you can pay so that somebody else can also benefit,” he said.

Dr Amjad Saqib added that “education is ultimate solution of our problems. We can’t progress and compete with international community unless we are ahead in education. But it is a pity that a boy coming from a poor family may be able to complete 10-year education but can’t receive higher education. We are not doing justice with our talent”.

He pointed out that this residential university will be a national institute where 20 per cent of students will come from each province of Pakistan.

Akhuwat is already running a fee-free college in the provincial capital, housing more than 300 students from all provinces. It offers pre-medical, pre-engineering and ICT courses.

To get entry into the college, a student must obtain 75 per cent marks in matriculation examination followed by an examination conducted at the college.

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest institute for higher learning – the Allama Iqbal Open University, which boosts over a million student annual enrollment

Superb. It will be a heaven for many aspirant with no resources. Well done.

 

[Unite & Defend]

Up to the age of 18, education should be free and compulsory. Parents that don't send their children should be heavily fined.

The government should establish vocational courses, particularly for trade skills and tooling for up to 24-year-olds, and free. University is not for everyone.

Top talent should be identified by a child's 11th birthday, via exams and be nurtured to fulfil their potential.

All private educational establishments should be converted to the public sphere. This would allow for a transparent cross-national coordination of syllabus and effective curriculums.

All private sector staff can reapply.

And no religious studies.

With the right management, I cant see these initiatives being unaffordable.

Both the private and public sector should come together to offer guaranteed positions once skills-based criteria's are met.

let's NOT forget about free health and dental care, equally as important.

 

[Sugarcane]

Bhai jaan I am not questioning the intention I am just pointing out the reality. The reality is our universities doesn't even fall in international rankings and standards of education. If you want to give away free education you can also offer scholarships to deserving people in any university. Thing is our education system is so much flawed and is at the mercy of private sector costing the parents a fortune. How many people have invested in degrees and are jobless just look around you. The people who can affoard higher education are not getting the standard and quality they are paying for. Most not all universities are giving away degrees just for money. The need of time is to raise the quality of education and also reduce the price. Otherwise another university anther worthless degree on a piece of paper. peace...

What all this have to do with a charity organization opening a university for people who can't afford higher education? By your logic charity hospitals must be closed because standard of government hospitals is very poor and must be fixed first?

 

[Baby Leone]

What all this have to do with a charity organization opening a university for people who can't afford higher education? By your logic charity hospitals must be closed because standard of government hospitals is very poor and must be fixed first?

you really nail an important point sometimes i just feel that is it that govt do not pay attention to hospitals because they know that people will get health care through charity anyways so why do we need to bother.