Increasing numbers of Pakistani students are choosing to pursue medical degrees in Kyrgyzstan, sparking interest and concern.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), provided insights into this trend during a recent interview with a private news agency. He pointed out that the temptation of shortcuts plays a significant role in this choice.
The Pakistani embassy had already flagged in 2019 that a growing number of medical students were heading to Kyrgyzstan, where several new medical universities of dubious quality have emerged.
Dr. Ahmed noted that local agents have actively facilitated admissions to these lesser-known institutions, often with low entry requirements. Some colleges in Kyrgyzstan accept students with academic achievements as modest as 50 to 52 per cent, and there are cases where only a matriculation certificate is necessary to begin medical studies.
Despite the HEC blacklisting some of these institutions and issuing warnings to parents, the trend persists. Many students continue to opt for education in Kyrgyzstan on a self-support basis, attracted by the lower costs compared to Pakistan’s private medical colleges, which not only charge high fees but also offer limited seats.
Dr Ahmed also remarked on the commercialization of education globally, noting the difficulty in tracking the exact number of students due to some travelling on visitor visas and securing admissions upon arrival. This approach represents a significant shortcut in the educational process.
The HEC is considering implementing policies to support students pursuing quality education at reputable institutions abroad. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) also administers examinations for returning students and grants medical practice licenses to those who qualify.
This situation highlights the broader challenges within Pakistan’s educational landscape, especially the pressing need for reforms to provide affordable and accessible medical education.
