The hidden struggles of PhD scholars in Pakistan!

 

Pakistani PhD scholars struggle with obsolete curriculum, lack of funding, and lacking support for research.

Picture this: You've spent 5-7 years earning your PhD, countless nights studying, exploring, and writing. You're now Dr. So-and-so. But instead of opening doors, you're result them surprisingly closed. Welcome to the inconsistent world of PhD graduates in Pakistan.

 

Let's get real for a minute. A PhD isn't just another degree to hang on your wall. It's imaginary to renovate you into an independent researcher, someone who can identify problems, design studies, analyze data, and donate new knowledge to your field. At least, that's the theory. But in Pakistan, the authenticity often aspects

The Life of a Pakistani PhD Scholar:

Imagine juggling three careening pins. Now add glowing torches and maybe a chainsaw. That's what life feels like for many Pakistani PhD scholars. Here's why:

 

Many start their PhDs in their late 30s or 40s, often while managing families and full-time jobs. Unlike Western countries where most PhD students start right after their master's degrees, our researchers are often mid-career experts trying to stability it all.

 

With partial scholarships and funding prospects, many scholars end up doing part-time PhDs while working full-time jobs. It's like trying to run a long-winded while carrying a briefcase. "Choose between paid your bills or funding your research" - this is the harsh reality many face.

 

PhD curriculum.

Remember your first year of PhD? If you're currently facing it, you're probably doubting why you're sitting in theory classes that impression like a repeat of your master's degree. The HEC curriculum, although well-intention, often efforts more on ticking boxes than building real research skills. We're teaching theory when scholars greatly need practical research skills, data analysis expertise, and academic writing skills.

 

Many PhD scholars in Pakistan fight with basic research skills. Not because they're not capable, but because our system hasn't encouraged them properly. It's like actuality asked to perform surgery without complete medical training. But a modest note, PhD degree is not an end, it’s just a start… or must be!

 

The Supervisor-Scholar Relationship: It's Complicated

 

"My job was to collect data only... investigation will be performed by the supervisor... it's his job." - Anonymous PhD Scholar

 

This quote speaks volumes about the confusion in roles and responsibilities. Some supervisors are juggling 15-20 students parallel (imagine trying to give quality time to each one!). Others view their PhD scholars as data collectors rather than future self-governing researchers. In all these dilemmas of responsibilities, Right question gets lost in between. Data gathering in Pakistan can sometimes resemble a wild west situation. Proper ethical guidelines? Sometimes they're pickled more like suggestions than rules.

 

Due to lack of ethical guidelines or working limitations, lack of advanced data analysis training, lack of funding and limited guidance in academic writing, the ratio of PhD research that makes it to upright international journals is unacceptably low.