Q1: Dear Abidi sb, I am a student of Software Engineering at a reputable institution in Lahore. Now I am thinking to study further and do masters in Information Technology (IT) from a foreign university. I thought it would be a good idea to request you to advise for a good subject area and a destination especially when I am considering to go abroad on scholarship? (Haroon Ansar, Lahore)
Ans: I think the subject you are already studying is a very good choice and after doing a bachelor in Software Engineering you will have many specialisms for a postgraduate degree. Consider doing financial security/ internet security or subjects that also include SEO. If you will succeed achieving a CGPA of 3.0++ you might be lucky in securing a scholarship in Australia, Germany or may be in UK.
Q2: Sir, I am a BPS scale 14 teacher. I am teaching mathematics. I did Masters in Agricultural Engineering and it was an honors degree from Agriculture University, Faisalabad. I am facing some problem as I cannot apply for higher scale with current qualification I mean with my Agricultural Engineering masters. Need your specialist advice if I should do popular masters like Computer Science, Physics or Mathematics? (Sharmeen Khaleel, Gojra)
Ans: So far as I know Agriculture Engineering is an upright qualification. Furthermore, you didn’t mention that you did this degree after a 4-yrs Hons bachelor’s degree. If you think doing research I mean an MPhil, you may get hold of a scholarship in agriculture sciences after which you can apply for research funding. But make sure this MPhil should be relevant to agriculture sciences areas. A lot of countries should give you a research/position or opportunity like Australia, USA and Germany etc. Regarding BPS enhancing; I’m not sure what to advise you but in any case you can look for a better chance than teaching in a school.
Q3: Dear sir, I shall be thankful to you if you please guide me for my son who is studying in the Karachi Medical and Dental College. He got the admission in overseas category but the fee structure is more than international standard it is $12,000, for the first my company reimbursed me the half fee, but after 21 years of age he will no more be eligible for the reimbursement. So I request you please guide me what should I do? Is there any solution for this? (Nooruddin Sammye, Karachi)
Ans: I have read the content of your email; unfortunately, there are no scholarships or funding bodies available in Pakistan to provide grant for your son’s medical education. Medicine Education anywhere in the world is expensive and normally does not have any provision of scholarships or grant. I’m sorry I cannot be of any further help in this matter.
Q4: I am currently studying BBA from National Textile University. I wanted to get your expert opinion about specialist area for further studies after my Bachelors programme is completed. What do you think I choose to study Marketing, HRM or Finance? (Affan Akram, Faisalabad)
Ans: Let me tell you first that the specialist choices always depend upon student’s strength in a concerning / relevant subject areas. Having strong grip on math and numbers means that you should choose Finance. However, if you are good at management and have talents of selling abilities then you should go for marketing or human resource. I hope this will help you in making a better choice according to your knowledge grip and abilities.
(Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi is a renowned educationist in Pakistan, with more than 20 years of experience as provider of education counselling services. He has represented Pakistan in over 100 national and international seminars, conferences and fora. He is a recipient of the most coveted civil award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz).