Private sector producing qualified people

Dr. Abdul Basit, President, Preston University, spoke about the ups and downs faced by the University in its bid to secure a place as a respected and well-reputed institution

Brief us about history of Preston University.

Dr. Abdul Basit: The institution had a humble beginning with only five students enrolled in the Business Administration department. The total enrolment has now exceeded 10,000 students studying in its network of campuses situated in the major cities of the country. Being the first private higher education institution in the country, the university faced huge resistance at every level. Public sector institutions were not very encouraging in the beginning, and they thought that this institution would not be able to survive for long.

Another issue the university confronted was that of the public mindset. People were reluctant to enroll their children in private universities as they were used to only public sector institutions. Majority of the parents stayed away in the beginning because they had certain doubts in their minds regarding matters like status of the degree, faculty, etc of a private university.

We worked very hard on every front; from changing the public mindset to drafting policies, curriculum and rules. Hard-work that we had put-in, made things easier for those who stepped in later in the private sector education ventures, as they found everything already in place for them to follow.

What are the achievements of Preston University?
This institution has been able to produce more than 60,000 qualified and trained graduates for National, Multinational and International organizations.

We have a nation-wide network that covers major cities like Kohat, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

What is the mission of Preston University?

The mission of Preston University is to give students the opportunity for personal growth and development, skill enhancement and professional career advancement, and to create sustain and promote research and development for expanding the horizons of knowledge.

The program strategy of the university is to provide university education opportunities of the highest quality at a reasonable and affordable cost.

How do you see the future of fresh graduates from Preston University?

Upon graduation from Preston University a student is not only equipped with necessary knowledge and skills but also possesses the confidence required to step into the real world of modern business, industry or government.

The individual grooming and development of each student at Preston University enormously enhances the job potential of its graduates.

http://www.technologytimes.pk/mag/2011/jan11/supply/private_sector_producing.php