KU decides to revive Masters programme
Karachi, June 17: After much debate and careful consideration, the University of Karachi (KU) has decided to revive its Masters programme while retaining the Bachelor of Studies (BS) programme.
The decision came in the wake of fierce criticism from BS students who voiced their serious concerns over the fact that after four years of rigorous academic endeavours they were considered less qualified than individuals holding Masters Degrees which made it difficult to find employment.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said on Thursday that the Masters programme had become a necessity due to the limitations at the BS level.
"A special meeting of the Academic Council (of KU) will be held in the last week of June to discuss the single agenda that is to continue Masters (MA, MPA, M.Com, MSc) and BA, BSc, BPA, B.Com (Hons) programme in addition to BS programme", she explained.
Prompted by attached grants offered by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), KU introduced a BS programme in 2007 while failing to predict the difficulties the programme's graduates may encounter in the job market. Other public sector universities retained the Masters programme, but initiated the BS level degree in order to receive the attached grants from HEC.
Dr Kazmi who opposed the program from the get go, observed the adverse effects of the new program and wrote a letter to the HEC pointing, seeking permission to revert to the old Masters system while still retaining the BS programme so that some could still complete it if they chose to do so.
However, the HEC delayed its response to Kazmi's request at the cost of students who were encountering difficulties in the job market as BS Degrees were only regarded as Bachelors.
The situation got messy for some students who held BA or B.Sc degrees and sought admission in the BS III Year, as upon completion of the BS programme they held two Bachelor degrees; Bachelor of Arts or Science and again Bachelor of Studies.
Dr Kazmi pointed out that BS degree holders were not regarded eligible for grade 17 jobs while the Masters produced by other universities or the KU Evening programme qualified. "In order to overcome these problems and save the professional careers of our students, the only option is to continue the four year (eight semesters) BS programme along side our previously approved Masters and Honours programmes. And we have devised a methodology to do so." The news
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