Higher Education & Employment: A Huge Possibility to be Missed in South Asia?

Graduate employment rate decreases

South Asia faces terrible challenges with higher education section. The region with full of the youths cannot arrange suitable education for job market. As a result, there will be a huge possibility that it endeavor to be missed. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan cover the same scene as Bangladesh.

Intelligence Unit of Economist has recently published a report about this anxiety. If the suitable education system is not provided the youths are blessing for the nation will be considered as curse of the nation, said the report is titled 'High University Enrollment – Low Graduate Employment'.

Despite more university graduates, employers are struggling to find good workers. A disturbing paradox is mounting and there is a need for a tripartite collaboration between policymakers, universities and employers. Education quality is low in universities and employers lament over two types of skills shortages: (a) not enough graduates in specialized skills needed within high growth sectors, and (b) where graduates have these skills, they are still not employable because English language, computer and other softer skills such as communication and problem-solving abilities are missing.

There is an obvious disconnect between job market needs and higher education provision. Despite the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) boom in India and more recently Sri Lanka, there is a shortage of skilled ICT workers in South Asia according to experts. This is an example of the broader trend of the discrepancy between the kind of skills demanded by job markets and the number of graduates in key disciplines for South Asia. The problem starts with nascent job market information systems, and is compounded by the lack of coordination at all levels of government.

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Account BenefitUniversity participation has more almost doubled in South Asia, from 13.6 million enrolled students in 2004 to 25.1 million students in 2011. In countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, the number of students enrolled in higher education increased over 200% in the same time period. The increase in demand has been a result of two broad trends.

In Bangladesh and Nepal, the disconnection is clear. Musharrof Hossain highlights key misalignment between labor market needs and education offered: "Bangladesh is the second largest garment exporting country but we do not have much emphasis on garments in higher education. This is similar in our leather industry, another key sector". Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTex) is the only public university specializing in textile engineering in Bangladesh, though there are 15 government and private textile engineering colleges under different universities which offer a B.Sc. in Textile Engineering.

It is estimated that by 2020 the world will have a shortage of 47 million working people while India alone will have a surplus of 56 million people. South Asia's demographic surplus will be key in meeting the labor needs both within the region and beyond, but only if workers have the right education and training.