Based on their outstanding achievements, contributions to society and public services, each year the Government of Pakistan (GOP) confers Civil Awards such as the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz to the citizens of Pakistan. Teachers and researchers from universities and research institutions are also considered for these awards.
For the year 2023, the government invited nominations for civil awards. The nominations were advertised in December 2022 and closed on January 09, 2023. The HEC deals with nomination for these awards and the criterion for evaluation in the fields of Science, Engineering & Education, Medicine & Nursing, Literature and the Arts is available on the HEC website.
Marks are included for qualifications, experience, innovative ideas, products, other national or international awards. In the present note, the marks distribution pattern for qualification or experience will not be discussed. Specifically, we will focus on the research scholarly output. Scholars can attain a total of twenty marks for publications and the citations they receive on them. For example, the maximum can be attained by publishing 5 international papers (in the category “W” as defined by HEC), with 21 citations. Before analyzing if 5 international papers will justify the minimum number of publications for these prestigious awards, some relevant details are described below.
In Pakistan, there were only ten universities in 1974–1975, with 2,1000 students and 2,455 faculty members. The number of universities grew to 74, professors to 5,160, and students to 276,000, exhibiting significant growth at the turn of the century. In fact, the higher education system miraculously improved after the establishment of HEC in 2002. The number of institutions climbed to 186 in 2017–18 with 56,885 faculty members and 1,575,000 students.
Presently there are more than 210 universities in Pakistan. The total number of institutions, teachers and students in post graduate colleges, or institutes can be accessed from the National Education Management Information System, Academy of Educational Planning and Management, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The World Bank also provides year-wise details about the public expenditure on education. For example, the educational budget was 11.3 billion in 1975, which increased to 72.3 billion in 2001. After the establishment of the HEC, funding has increased immensely. The total developmental and non-developmental expenditures on higher education for the years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-9 and 2009-10 were 21.38, 28.74, 27.92, 32.18 and 44.00 billion respectively. The latest data about the higher education budget can be obtained from the Academy of Educational Planning and Management, Ministry of Federal Education, Professional Training Islamabad and HEC.
In the same vein, national and international financial resources, and the rate of international collaboration also significantly increased. Similarly various international ministries, organizations and foundations also offered grants or fellowships to pursue higher education. Consequently, in the last ten years from 2013 to 2022, Pakistan has published 226,463 papers, for an average of 1,887 papers per month, in all research fields in international research journals.
This raises a very serious question about whether 5 papers can justify the prestige of our national awards? The civil awards in scientific disciplines or academic fields deserve a substantial body of published research work and a considerable number of citations from reputable journals.
National honors and recognition are a multifaceted achievement that require a thoughtful and inclusive approach. Expert opinions and debates may help to define fair, transparent, and aligned criteria for the awards. We hope that relevant authorities will not only check the minimum number of required publications, but other criteria like the quality, impact, and relevance of the research, and contributions to their field ought to be considered in the awarding process.
Researchers in the arts and humanities play a crucial role in shaping culture, fostering creativity, and providing a deeper understanding of human experiences. Their research can delve into literature, history, philosophy, art and more, contributing to the preservation and understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives. These researchers often explore complex issues and develop creative solutions, contributing to the development of well-rounded individuals who can approach problems from various angles. Researchers in the humanities can expertly blend state of the art technology with creative thinking to come up with innovative solutions to various problems. Arts and humanities researchers can explore global perspectives and interconnectedness, helping individuals grasp the complexities of a diverse and interconnected world. They can play a pivotal role in effective collaboration, diplomacy, and addressing global challenges, and can foster a love of learning, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
On the contrary, the “arts” group does not have any marks for publications and citations. Furthermore, based on the Scopus record, 2,649 research papers were published in Pakistan from 2013 to 2022 in the arts and humanities. This makes Pakistan the 2nd most productive country in the stated field in South Asia, 9th in OIC and 56th in the world. Appreciating, acknowledging, and awarding national awards to arts and humanities researchers can offer several significant advantages to both individuals and society as a whole.
This recognition can boost the morale and self-esteem of researchers, encouraging them to continue their work. In fact, it can inspire the researchers to push the boundaries of their fields, and may lead to innovation. Awards can incentivize researchers to engage in projects that can pass the cultural knowledge to future generations.
Recognizing arts and humanities research can also foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Many of today's most pressing challenges require a combined effort from multiple disciplines. Collaborations between arts and humanities researchers and scientists, engineers, social scientists, and policymakers can lead to holistic solutions. It may also attract attention to the importance of arts and humanities education, encouraging more students to pursue these fields. This can lead to a well-rounded education system that values both the sciences and the arts, producing graduates with a broader understanding of the human experience.
We believe that giving weightage to publications in the field of arts will bring quality and academic excellence to the nation, and will do justice to the faculty in these disciplines. To conclude, the recognition, and acknowledgement may also create a well-rounded ecosystem that celebrates and supports diverse forms of knowledge and inquiry.