Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my FSc Pre-Medical with 770/1100 marks from Peshawar Model College. I am interested in pursuing a degree in the healthcare field but do not want to go for MBBS or BDS. Could you please suggest some alternative career options in the healthcare sector? (Rida Khan, Peshawar)

Ans: Dear Rida, there are numerous alternative options in the healthcare field that do not involve MBBS or BDS. Some promising areas include Physiotherapy (DPT), Clinical Nutrition, Medical Imaging Technology, and Biotechnology. These fields are in high demand globally, and you can explore universities in Pakistan or abroad that offer these programmes. Consider exploring universities in Turkey or Malaysia, as they provide quality education at affordable costs.

Q2: Dear Sir, I have done my Bachelor of Computer Science from FAST-NU Lahore with a CGPA of 3.1. I want to specialise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for my master's. Which countries and universities would you recommend, and how can I apply for scholarships? (Ahmad Bilal, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Ahmad, Artificial Intelligence is one of the most sought-after fields today. With your CGPA, I recommend looking at countries like Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands for their advanced AI programmes. Universities like the University of Amsterdam, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and McGill University in Canada are excellent choices. To secure scholarships, explore programs like DAAD (Germany), Erasmus+ (Europe), and university-specific scholarships. Ensure your application includes a strong personal statement and research proposal, if applicable.

Q3: Dear Sir, I am currently completing my Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from NUST. I am interested in renewable energy and its applications. Can you guide me on which countries and universities offer strong master’s programs in this field? (Usman Sheikh, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Usman, Renewable Energy is a vital and emerging field with excellent future prospects. I suggest you look into countries like Denmark, Germany, and Australia, which are global leaders in renewable energy research and development. Universities like the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the University of Freiburg in Germany, and the Australian National University (ANU) offer top-notch master’s programs. Additionally, many universities in these countries provide scholarships or funding for international students.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am completing my BS in Psychology and am interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Could you please advise me on the best universities for this program and scholarship opportunities? (Sana Malik, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Sana, Clinical Psychology is a rewarding field with a growing demand for professionals. For your master’s degree, I suggest you explore universities in the UK, such as the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, and the University of Glasgow, which are renowned for their psychology programs. For scholarships, consider options like the Chevening Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, or university-specific funding opportunities. Ensure you gain relevant clinical experience during your undergraduate studies to strengthen your application.

(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).