University fever leaves affiliated colleges struggling despite multiple advantages

ISLAMABAD, Sep 11 (APP)::For many students, the choice between a university and an affiliated college is increasingly driven by the name on the degree. As students favour universities for wider exposure and better career prospects, affiliated colleges are losing ground despite offering lower fees, shorter class timings, proximity to home and more personalised learning, even when the degree is awarded by a university.

Peer pressure, rankings and institutional reputation reinforce the perception that universities offer better career prospects. This leaves colleges facing the challenge of proving that they can provide equally meaningful education and opportunities.

Maryam Naveed, a BS English student at Fazaia Bilquis College of Education for Women, told APP that she chose college for its comfortable, focused and supportive environment. She credits individual attention from teachers for her academic and professional growth, which helped her secure teaching work at a government institute and an online job. She values close support and approachable teachers but notes that monitoring can sometimes feel restrictive compared with university life. She also participated in sports, student council activities, workshops and conferences. Despite recognising universities’ stronger professional networks and exposure, she considers choosing college an excellent decision and says the right choice depends on a student’s goals.

Shaiza Fatima, a BS Physics graduate from PIES, (Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences)  University, Islamabad, offers the university perspective. She told this scribe that universities provide greater opportunities for personal growth and independent thinking. University education, she said, promotes discipline and concept-driven learning. She believes students associate universities with better career prospects, while peer pressure, rankings and institutional reputation also influence their choices. However, she stressed that college and university graduates can achieve similar careers through hard work. In her view, universities offer greater freedom to think creatively, explore interests and pursue curiosity.

Ms. Aysha Masood, a lecturer at Fazaia Bilquis College of Education for Women, sharing her insight with APP said that colleges can offer structured learning, close interaction with students, personalised attention and strong mentorship. Teaching quality, extracurricular activities and opportunities shape students more than the type of institution, she believes. While universities currently have an edge in professional networking, research and industry links, she observes graduates of both institutions can build similar careers. She urged students to compare programmes, faculty, facilities and career opportunities rather than choose a university simply for its name.

Ms. Sumaira Noor, a lecturer at Fazaia Bilquis College of Education for Women, identified close teacher-student interaction as a key strength of colleges. She said colleges can provide students with focused learning, structured guidance and personalised support, while universities generally offer greater academic and social exposure, research opportunities, diverse perspectives and independence.

She urged colleges to highlight these strengths. Her institution provides female students with a secure and supportive environment, modern learning, professional development, research, career counselling and extracurricular activities. Highlight the importance of success she said, it depends on education, skills, experience, continuous learning and professional performance rather than institutional labels. She advised students and parents to focus on educational quality and opportunities when choosing an institution.

Professor Dr. Shaheen-ul-Zaman,an English Lecturer at NUML University,  speaking to APP said universities offer wider programmes, better research exposure, professional networking, extracurricular activities, career opportunities and diverse learning environments. He said these features continue to make universities attractive to students.

He considers the graduates of both institutions can build similar careers with the right skills and experience, although university graduates may have an advantage in specialised fields. Universities, he added, generally provide greater academic and personal independence, giving students more freedom to choose courses, manage their studies and activities, and express their ideas.

The views of students and teachers show that the real choice is not simply between a college and a university, but between the quality, opportunities, and support they offer. Universities provide greater exposure, research opportunities, and professional networks, while colleges often offer affordability, personal attention, and guidance. Students should therefore consider educational quality, career goals, finances, and their own learning needs before choosing an institution.

At the same time, the growing preference for universities is steadily pushing affiliated colleges to the margins, placing additional pressure on already stretched universities and demanding a serious rethink of how both institutions can share the responsibility of providing accessible, quality higher education.