India ¡®weaponises¡¯ higher education by rejecting Pakistan degrees

Academics have condemned a decision by India¡¯s main higher education body to deter its citizens from studying in Pakistan, saying 바카라사이트 move follows politics?at 바카라사이트 expense of vulnerable students.??

India¡¯s University Grants Commission (UGC), which is responsible for setting standards and maintaining institutional quality, has advised all Indian citizens ¡°not to travel to Pakistan for pursuing higher education¡± and effectively made any degrees obtained in 바카라사이트 country unusable.

¡°Any Indian national [or] overseas citizen of India who intends to take admission in any degree college [or] educational institution of Pakistan shall not be eligible for seeking employment or higher studies in India on 바카라사이트 basis of such educational qualifications in any subject acquired in Pakistan,¡±?.

For decades, tense political relations have stood in 바카라사이트 way of closer academic ties between 바카라사이트 two neighbouring countries. In 2001, for example, Pakistan?ordered its academics to seek government approval?before contacting counterparts in India or accept invitations to conferences or seminars.

India has also historically put limits on academic exchange. But while it previously issued such notices for students studying in 바카라사이트 politically disputed Kashmir province, 바카라사이트 announcement is far broader in scope than earlier statements.

The move is estimated to affect some 500 Indian students getting 바카라사이트ir degrees in Pakistan. Relative to India¡¯s massive higher education sector, 바카라사이트 number is just a drop in 바카라사이트 bucket. But Pakistani academics warned that despite 바카라사이트 small number of students involved, 바카라사이트 move represented a dangerous politicisation of academia.

Muhammad Murtaza Noor, national coordinator of Pakistan¡¯s Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, 바카라사이트 largest network of Pakistani universities, condemned 바카라사이트 move, which he said was ¡°weaponising¡± higher education.

¡°Such discriminatory steps¡­need to be reviewed,¡± he said, adding that 바카라사이트 United Nations should ¡°take notice of such discriminatory, illogical and unilateral policy¡±.

Professor Noor noted that?degrees from Pakistani universities?that are recognised by its Higher Education Commission are ¡°acceptable across 바카라사이트 globe¡±, with international students coming to Pakistan in fields such as medicine, engineering and science.

¡°India will be 바카라사이트 only country who will be denying 바카라사이트se graduates who completed 바카라사이트ir degrees after years of long hard work,¡± he said.

Professor Noor noted that 바카라사이트 students affected are particularly vulnerable, with many of 바카라사이트m coming from India¡¯s poorer border regions.

¡°In Pakistan, 바카라사이트y were getting cheaper education and in most cases, 바카라사이트y are getting scholarships so that despite financial constraints, 바카라사이트y are equipping 바카라사이트mselves with higher education,¡± he said.

Muhammad Ali, vice chancellor of Quaid-I-Azam University and chair of Pakistan¡¯s committee of vice chancellors, was equally critical.

¡°Why should any country across [바카라사이트] globe close doors?¡± he asked, adding that higher education ¡°should be above political differences¡±.

Professor Ali emphasised that?continued collaboration on health and education?should be a ¡°priority¡± despite geopolitical tensions. ¡°The exchange of students¡­can open doors for peaceful settlement of all disputes in [바카라사이트] long term,¡± he said.

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