The article discusses the recent decision by the Balochistan government to increase the budget for higher education institutions (HEIs), which is expected to resolve long-standing issues, such as delayed salaries for employees and the introduction of full scholarships for PhD students under the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme. Despite this positive development, the article highlights the ongoing crisis in the governance and management of HEIs in Balochistan, exacerbated by financial collapse and a heavy reliance on aid and grants. Mismanagement has led to spending on construction and salaries, with little investment in profit-making ventures, human development, or research. This has resulted in HEIs becoming financially unstable and unable to contribute effectively to society. The crisis is attributed to various stakeholders, including lawmakers, policy makers, and university administrations, who have prioritized quantity over quality, leading to financial mismanagement and demoralized teaching faculty. The article criticizes the increasing use of contractual staff, reduction in remunerations, rising student fees, and limited scholarships, which have further weakened the HEIs. It calls for a shift towards rational resource utilization, academic management, and profit generation, rather than expansion into remote areas. The article also emphasizes the need for the Higher Education Commission » Read More…
