- Increasing digitization and skills-based learning reshaping educational practices with visible momentum in Pakistan
Interview with Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi, a dynamic analyst
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi:Â I am serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Sargodha since 2013. My academic and research work focuses on political science, governance, federalism, ethnic and religious politics, women empowerment, civil-military relations, and organizational behavior. I have supervised several MPhil and PhD scholars and continue to contribute through research, training, and policy-oriented academic engagements. I also regularly participate in national and international conferences, with a strong commitment to improving academic standards, institutional governance, and research culture in Pakistan.
PAGE: How would you describe 2025 in terms of education?
Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi: The year 2025 has been a period of transition and recalibration for Pakistan’s education sector. Increasing digitization, a growing emphasis on skills-based learning, and the integration of technology in teaching are reshaping educational practices. However, challenges like uneven digital literacy, regional disparities, faculty shortages, and limited research funding have slowed progress. Despite this, there is visible momentum towards improving curriculum relevance, strengthening assessment systems, and enhancing faculty development initiatives.
PAGE: What changes should have happened over the period of last one year and how do you see 2026?
Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi:Â Over the last year, a stronger push was needed for teacher training, digital infrastructure, research capacity building, and transparent academic governance. More robust collaboration between academia, industry, and government should also have been prioritized to align higher education with job market needs.
Looking ahead, 2026 offers cautious optimism. If policy consistency, investment in technology, and institutional autonomy improve, we can expect better student outcomes, stronger research output, and more competitive graduates. The focus must shift from quantity of degrees to quality of learning.
PAGE: What are your views regarding inflation for an ordinary citizen during 2025?
Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi:Â Inflation in 2025 has placed significant pressure on middle- and lower-income households. Essentials such as food, transport, utilities, and healthcare became increasingly unaffordable, reducing purchasing power and altering consumption patterns. Ordinary citizens experienced financial stress due to stagnant wages, rising taxes, and limited social protection. Inflation has not only affected daily living but also long-term wellbeing, savings, education affordability, and healthcare access.
PAGE: What should be the policies of the incumbent government for the masses?
Dr. Asiya Saif Alvi:Â The government should prioritize policies that directly ease the socioeconomic burden on citizens. This includes:
- Stabilizing inflation through strict market regulation and fair pricing mechanisms.
- Expanding social safety nets for vulnerable groups.
- Investing in quality education, health care, and digital infrastructure.
- Creating employment opportunities through industrial growth and entrepreneurship support.
- Ensuring transparent governance and reducing administrative inefficiencies.
- Strengthening local governments for efficient service delivery.
- A people-centric governance framework is essential to rebuild trust, create economic resilience, and uplift the living standards of the masses.