The alarming 20–30% decline in admissions across Punjab’s public-sector universities is a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and society at large. Recent data from the Punjab Higher Education Department shows that even prestigious institutions such as Punjab University, Lahore, and Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, are struggling to fill places, while smaller universities in districts like Narowal and Sahiwal face an even deeper crisis.
Economic pressures are a major factor. With inflation soaring, many families can no longer afford hostel accommodation, transport, and study materials—even at public universities. Equally troubling is the outdated nature of many degree programmes, which fail to align with the evolving demands of the job market. Increasingly, students are turning to skill-based diplomas, short courses, and freelancing opportunities that promise quicker, more tangible returns.
Falling enrolment in MPhil and PhD programmes threatens not only the academic vitality of our universities but also the future of research and innovation in the province. Without immediate, targeted interventions—such as subsidised transport, expanded scholarships, reduced admission fees, modernised curricula, and stronger links between universities and industry—this downward spiral will accelerate.
If we fail to act now, Punjab risks producing fewer qualified graduates and missing key opportunities in a knowledge-driven global economy. The time has come for the government and academic institutions to move from concern to concrete action.
ALI ZAFAR,
Nankana Sahib.
