The Academic Overload in Private Universities: A Recipe for Brain Drain

Wearing Too Many Hats: The Burden on Faculty

In the private sector of higher education, especially in countries like Pakistan, Professors, senior Faculty, Deans, and Heads of Departments are increasingly expected to take on a multitude of roles. These roles stretch far beyond the traditional duties of teaching and research. Faculty members are tasked with not only delivering lectures and research but also driving admissions, managing administrative tasks, recruiting staff, assisting with marketing, and organizing events such as seminars and talks.

At the end of this exhaustive list, they are still criticized for "not doing enough."

Private Universities: A Vital Pillar for Education in Pakistan

Private universities play a crucial role in Pakistan’s higher education system. With the government unable to build and support enough public universities due to financial constraints, private institutions fill an essential gap. They provide opportunities for higher education that are otherwise unavailable to a large segment of the population.

However, for private universities to continue serving this role effectively, they must be structured to retain and motivate their best talent. Overburdening the faculty with unrealistic expectations threatens not only the institutions themselves but the future of education in the country.

The Unrealistic Expectations of Higher-Ups

It’s alarming to see how university higher-ups and donors often believe that by hiring senior faculty, they’ve acquired superhumans who can handle all facets of university operations. These leaders expect a single individual to ensure academic excellence, manage departments, recruit staff, engage students, and even contribute to marketing efforts—all while maintaining high levels of teaching and research.

Expecting faculty members to juggle 9 or 10 different roles is simply unrealistic. If this continues, the very purpose of higher education—delivering quality teaching and research—will suffer.

A Widening Gap with Industry Expectations

While university leadership piles on these tasks, the industry continues to criticize academia for not preparing students for real-world applications. This growing gap between industry expectations and academic output is not surprising when faculty are stretched thin across so many unrelated tasks. How can academics forge industry collaborations or focus on updating their curricula when they are burdened with administration, admissions, and marketing?

Brain Drain: Losing the Best and Brightest

The most concerning consequence of this overburdening is the increasing rate of brain drain. Experienced professors and researchers, demotivated by the overwhelming workload and lack of focus on their core responsibilities, are seeking opportunities abroad. Universities that promise an environment focused on teaching and research, without the burden of administrative and non-academic duties, become far more appealing to them.

This exodus of talent is devastating for Pakistan. Private universities, which should be centers of academic excellence, are instead losing their best minds to institutions abroad. The long-term impact of this brain drain will be felt not just in education, but across all sectors that depend on high-quality graduates and cutting-edge research.

Private Universities Are Crucial, But So Is Faculty Retention

Private universities are a cornerstone of Pakistan's higher education landscape, especially given the financial limitations of government-funded institutions. But if we continue to overburden our academic staff, these universities risk losing the very people who make them thrive. By pushing out seasoned professionals through unrealistic demands, we are undermining the stability and growth of the education system.

The Path Forward: Rebalancing Responsibilities

It’s crucial that private universities rethink their approach. Faculty members need to be allowed to focus on what they do best—educating students and conducting research. Administrative and non-academic tasks should be assigned to specialized teams so that academics are not expected to wear multiple hats. Without this change, the brain drain will continue to intensify, taking away Pakistan's top talent.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

The current model is simply unsustainable. We must stop expecting academic professionals to perform miracles in roles they are neither trained nor hired for. By creating an environment that values academic focus and supports faculty, we can not only retain our best talent but also ensure that private universities continue to play their critical role in Pakistan’s education system.

Let’s act before it’s too late—before we lose more brilliant minds to institutions abroad that recognize the true value of academic expertise.