Career counselling: questions and answers

Q1: Dear Mr Abidi, I am currently a student of Software Engineering at a reputable institution in Lahore. I am considering pursuing a master's degree in Information Technology from a foreign university and would appreciate your guidance on suitable subject areas and destinations, particularly with regard to scholarships. (Ahmed Jehanzeb, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Ahmed, your choice of Software Engineering is excellent, providing numerous specialisations for a postgraduate degree. I recommend considering areas such as financial security, internet security, or subjects involving SEO. Achieving a CGPA of 3.0++ may increase your chances of securing a scholarship, particularly in countries like Australia, Germany, or the UK.

Q2: Dear sir, I am a BPS scale 14 teacher currently teaching mathematics. I hold a Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering with honors from Agriculture University, Faisalabad. However, I am facing challenges in advancing to a higher scale with my current qualification. Would you advise pursuing popular master's degrees like computer science, physics, or mathematics? (Shaista Imran, Gujranwala)

Ans: Dear Shaista, Agricultural Engineering is a commendable qualification. If research interests you, consider pursuing an MPhil relevant to agricultural sciences to potentially qualify for scholarships and research funding. Regarding BPS enhancement, I suggest exploring alternatives beyond teaching in a school.

Q3: Dear sir, I would be grateful for your guidance regarding my son's education at Karachi Medical and Dental College. While he was admitted under the overseas category, the fee structure exceeds international standards at $12,000. Unfortunately, my company's reimbursement will cease after he turns 21. Could you please advise on potential solutions? (Ali Abbas, Karachi)

Ans: Dear Ali, I understand your predicament. Unfortunately, scholarships or funding bodies in Pakistan do not typically support medical education expenses. Medical education worldwide is costly and rarely offers scholarships or grants. I regret that I cannot offer further assistance in this matter.

Q4: Dear Mr Abidi, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology (BTECH Hons) degree in Lahore and seek guidance on potential paths post-graduation. (Salman Ranjha, Lahore)

Ans: Dear Salman, upon completing your BTECH degree, consider pursuing a master's in Telecommunications, which offers promising job prospects both in Pakistan and abroad.

(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).