Towards academic openness

Express Tribune

2 days ago

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At the recent Academic Council meeting of the University of Karachi, the decision to allow the transfer of MPhil and PhD students from private universities into our postgraduate programmes sparked passionate debate. Concerns were raised, caution was advised, and multiple perspectives were articulated – all reflecting the seriousness with which the Council treats matters of academic integrity. Yet, after a rigorous and wide-ranging discussion, the policy was passed and rightly so.
As a member of this Council, I listened carefully to both opposition and support. Some colleagues feared this would blur institutional boundaries, or create complications in managing standards. Others questioned the parity between the academic depth of private and public sector research work. But ultimately, a larger and more progressive vision prevailed one that rests on merit, inclusivity and institutional confidence.
Let us be clear: the policy does not open a backdoor into Karachi University. It introduces a structured, multi-tiered vetting mechanism: no student may transfer without clearance from the Departmental Research Committee, approval of the concerned Head of Department, and endorsement from the Dean. All admission criteria remain fully intact. There is no compromise on standards. What this policy does, however, is offer opportunity i.e. a word that sits at the heart of public education.
Too often, students begin their academic journeys in private universities due to proximity, cost, timing or availability. But with time, many discover a mismatch between their evolving academic ambitions and institutional limitations. Are we, as a leading public university, to tell them that their academic fate is sealed at their starting point? Or should we allow them to be assessed fairly, and if found capable, welcomed into our research community?
KU, by design, has been a centre of knowledge dissemination, not isolation. It has long accepted students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, regions and disciplines. This policy simply extends that ethos to embrace students from other universities, while maintaining the same standards we demand of our own.
Globally, such transfer pathways are not only permitted, but encouraged. Research thrives in environments where ideas cross-pollinate, where institutional walls do not become intellectual barriers. KU's move signals alignment with these best practices, ensuring our researchers have exposure to diverse academic influences.
One must also address the perception that this policy may dilute our reputation. Quite the opposite, it reinforces the fact that KU is strong enough to engage with wider academia, assess on merit, and mentor students regardless of where they began. It is a mark of maturity, not vulnerability.
Alongside this, the Council also approved a much-needed revision: the abolition of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement for employed students seeking MPhil or PhD admission. In today's world, where many researchers are also professionals, this requirement often served as a bureaucratic bottleneck. Removing it not only widens access but also reflects KU's sensitivity to the realities of working scholars.
Both these decisions, the transfer policy and the removal of the NOC, reflect a shift in KU's academic posture: from gatekeeping to guidance, from rigidity to relevance. They send a message that excellence is not the preserve of a select few, but a goal that can be pursued across institutional lines, provided the standards are met.
This is not a softening of KU's identity; it is a powerful reaffirmation of its role as a national academic leader, one that invites talent, not fears it. By embracing merit-based transfers while maintaining rigorous standards, KU demonstrates confidence in its systems and a forward-looking approach to academic collaboration. These bold step reflects not only the Council's collective wisdom but also the visionary leadership of our worthy VC whose commitment to inclusive excellence continues to steer the university in the right direction.