Bridging education, employment gap crucial to Pakistan's economic future: Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman

Islamabad (Web Desk): Rector Superior University Professor Dr. Sumaira Rehman has stressed the need to bridge the widening gap between education and employment in Pakistan, noting that universities continue to produce graduates while job opportunities in the market are not expanding at the same pace.

Addressing an event organised by the See Global Economic Forum, Professor Dr. Sumaira Rehman said young graduates often struggle to find opportunities that match their education and abilities because of a disconnect between academic institutions and the demands of the job market.

She emphasised that providing degrees alone was no longer sufficient and that universities must equip students with practical skills required to secure employment.

Professor Dr. Sumaira Rehman also highlighted the gap between academic research and the practical needs of society and the economy.

“Reducing the gap between research and ground realities has become an urgent priority, while universities need to align their research activities with the requirements of industry and the broader market,” she said.

The Superior University rector said young people should not be trained merely to seek jobs but should also be equipped with the skills and confidence needed to create employment opportunities for themselves and others.

She noted that entrepreneurship and practical training could play a significant role in opening new avenues of employment for the country's youth.

Dr. Sumaira Rehman further called for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry, saying academic programmes should be designed after taking into account the evolving requirements of the market.

She said that the full potential of young people could not be realised unless education, research and employment were effectively connected.

The Superior University rector stressed that industry, researchers, the business community and students must be brought closer together.

Universities, she said, should work in collaboration with industry and the business sector and establish effective mechanisms to translate academic research into solutions that address real-world commercial and industrial needs.

Professor Dr. Sumaira Rehman also called for the development of a national framework bringing industry, academia and the government onto a common platform.

She said university research could be transformed into productive economic activity by creating stronger channels for transferring academic knowledge and innovation to industry and the business community.

The Superior University rector added that the government, universities and industry could jointly create new employment and business opportunities for young people.

Professor Dr Sumaira Rehman further said that that the students should be given practical exposure alongside their academic education and helped to understand the skills and competencies demanded by the contemporary job market.