Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Sir, I have recently completed my FSc Pre-Medical with 75% marks. I’m passionate about environmental sciences and would like to pursue a Bachelors in this. Can you please suggest some universities that offer strong programmes in this field?(Rehan Akram, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Rehan, considering your interest in environmental sciences, I suggest looking into specialisations like Environmental Health, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Management. These fields are growing rapidly and offer strong career opportunities. For universities, I would recommend considering institutions in the UK, Canada, or Australia, as they offer well-recognised programmes in environmental sciences coupled with ample research opportunities.

Q2: Dear Mr Abidi, I have completed my BBA with a CGPA of 2.8 and want to do MBA with a focus on Human Resources. Can you recommend a suitable country or institution that would provide quality education and good scholarship opportunities?(Abdul Rehman Khan, Mianwali)

Ans: Dear Abdul Rehman, with your background in business administration, pursuing an MBA with a specialisation in Human Resources is an ideal choice. For institutions, consider studying in Malaysia or Turkey, as both these offer high quality education with comparatively affordable tuition fees and living costs. Additionally, they provide various scholarship opportunities for international students. Look into universities that emphasise practical training and have strong industry connections to ensure good career prospects post-MBA.

Q3: Dear Sir, I have a BS in Computer Science with 3 CGPA and would like to do a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. Can you guide me on potential countries or universities and any tips about scholarship options?(Hina Rehman, Islamabad)

Ans: Dear Hina, with a foundation in Computer Science, a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence could open many doors in the tech industry. Look into countries like Germany, Ireland, and Canada, which have reputable programmes in AI and emerging fields within tech. Germany, in particular, has public universities with low to no tuition fees for international students. Additionally, research scholarships from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or check university-specific scholarships in Canada and Ireland.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am in the final year of my BS in Chemistry from a university in Bahawalpur, and I am interested in pursuing an MS in Environmental Chemistry abroad. Can you please suggest suitable options for further studies?(Zaman Mewati, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Zaman, Environmental Chemistry is an excellent field with numerous opportunities in industrial research. I recommend looking into programmes in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada, as they are renowned for their expertise in environmental sciences.

(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).