Pakistan Didn't Pay a Penny for South Asia University; India Stops Midway

[474474]

I finished studying a few years ago. I specialised in Macroeconomics in my PhD, but now I work for an international development finance organisation- so, basically, I'll never end up looking at Macro again!

What branch do you think I should go to, has the highest pay and secure careers?

 

[asquare]

What branch do you think I should go to, has the highest pay and secure careers?

What do you enjoy? Are you doing your undergraduate degree or masters currently? Masters and Phd level economics is very different form undergrad economics, particularly Macro. Before I know what you like, here is a brief description of the most 'employable' fields-

Micro- especially game theory and industrial organisation (+knowing enough micro-econometrics)- there a lot of jobs in 'economics consulting' that hire people form these fields. Economics consulting firms usually work for governments or companies and look at whether two firms should be allowed to merge, what will be the loss from the resulting monopoly, what conditions should be imposed on the merger etc i.e. anti-trust cases. This is a very large industry in the US and Europe. The jobs are secure and pay reasonably well but they are boring.

Macro (+knowing enough time series econometrics)- you can work for all sorts of banks and financial sector firms, or for the Central Bank of a country or the IMF (you need a PhD to work for a central bank/ the IMF). These jobs can be fun but they are more competitive and harder to get than the consulting firms. Pay is a bit higher than the consulting firms. You'll mostly be doing stuff like forecasting various macro variables and writing research reports on this stuff. However, in these companies, economists are always the 'back end' guys, while the MBAs do all the 'glamorous' stuff.

Development economics (+knowing enough micro-econometrics)- you can do what I do, work for an international development organisation (including all the UN organisations and the World Bank). The work can be fun and you get to 'help the world', you get lots of perks and you get to travel a lot but these organisations are very bureaucratic and many of the people in them do absolutely no work. Plus, to move up in the organisation you have to be willing to move from country to country. Salaries, for international recruits, range from very high when you're posted in a developing country, to good when you're posted at the headquarters. These jobs are very competitive to get, but once you get them, they're jobs for life (because half the people do no work, hardly anyone gets fired!).

If you haven't done your Masters yet, try and do a Masters in Europe (the US doesn't have good stand alone Masters programs, they're combined with PhDs). Outside the UK is a lot less expensive. I can help with where you should go, if you'd like. I hope this helps.

 

[Razia Sultana]

Many Pakistanis and even Bangladehis are saying that the university should not be built in India but elsewhere. Then why they agreed in first place to build the SAU in New Delhi. They had all rights to disagree just like Pakistan refuses to give free access and transit to SAARC members over her land.

I think India and others should disallow Pakistan and go ahead with the University. India should take the cost arising out of expulsion of Pakistan from this university. They are anyways not interested.

Its pointless to pay for anything which is being build in India. Only few months ago single Pakistani student was beaten to death in Indian university.

Dont fool yourself and others. Even i came across this news from south india where a pakistani student was beaten up because he was harrassing a girl student. He was simply beaten up by the friends and relatives of the girl and he left for pakistan without any serious injuries.

 

[OrionHunter]

We are not interested,

What really are you guys interested in?

During the just concluded SAARC Summit, Pakistan was the only country which declined to sign three multilateral pacts with the eight members of SAARC. The agreements aim to boost road trade and electricity sharing.

Pakistan seems to be the proverbial spoke in the SAARC wheel - always the odd man out!

SAARC can do without Pakistan. I daresay that it's high time Pakistan is removed from the grouping.

 

[474474]

What do you enjoy? Are you doing your undergraduate degree or masters currently? Masters and Phd level economics is very different form undergrad economics, particularly Macro. Before I know what you like, here is a brief description of the most 'employable' fields-

Micro- especially game theory and industrial organisation (+knowing enough micro-econometrics)- there a lot of jobs in 'economics consulting' that hire people form these fields. Economics consulting firms usually work for governments or companies and look at whether two firms should be allowed to merge, what will be the loss from the resulting monopoly, what conditions should be imposed on the merger etc i.e. anti-trust cases. This is a very large industry in the US and Europe. The jobs are secure and pay reasonably well but they are boring.

Macro (+knowing enough time series econometrics)- you can work for all sorts of banks and financial sector firms, or for the Central Bank of a country or the IMF (you need a PhD to work for a central bank/ the IMF). These jobs can be fun but they are more competitive and harder to get than the consulting firms. Pay is a bit higher than the consulting firms. You'll mostly be doing stuff like forecasting various macro variables and writing research reports on this stuff. However, in these companies, economists are always the 'back end' guys, while the MBAs do all the 'glamorous' stuff.

Development economics (+knowing enough micro-econometrics)- you can do what I do, work for an international development organisation (including all the UN organisations and the World Bank). The work can be fun and you get to 'help the world', you get lots of perks and you get to travel a lot but these organisations are very bureaucratic and many of the people in them do absolutely no work. Plus, to move up in the organisation you have to be willing to move from country to country. Salaries, for international recruits, range from very high when you're posted in a developing country, to good when you're posted at the headquarters. These jobs are very competitive to get, but once you get them, they're jobs for life (because half the people do no work, hardly anyone gets fired!).

If you haven't done your Masters yet, try and do a Masters in Europe (the US doesn't have good stand alone Masters programs, they're combined with PhDs). Outside the UK is a lot less expensive. I can help with where you should go, if you'd like. I hope this helps.

I'm doing my A levels now, and honestly the curriculum is horrible (at least compared to the iGCSEs) and everything is pretty much self study. Not to mention that no one knows how the board exams are marked, the lack of external study resources and the school not giving a shit since only like 10 students in the entire grade take this subject. I really really liked nearl every bit of economics back in year 11. But now only the part dealing with foreign countries and trade is somewhat interesting. But I guess high school level curriculums are all too generalised and broad to have a strong opinion, so I need very baby-ish advice from you. Oh and thanks!

 

[asquare]

I'm doing my A levels now, and honestly the curriculum is horrible (at least compared to the iGCSEs) and everything is pretty much self study. Not to mention that no one knows how the board exams are marked, the lack of external study resources and the school not giving a shit since only like 10 students in the entire grade take this subject. I really really liked nearl every bit of economics back in year 11. But now only the part dealing with foreign countries and trade is somewhat interesting. But I guess high school level curriculums are all too generalised and broad to have a strong opinion, so I need very baby-ish advice from you. Oh and thanks!

If you still haven't taken your A levels, my advice to you is to relax and not worry about the future! In terms of what you can do now, in order to work towards a career as an economist- study as much maths as you can. While all universities offer similar undergraduate economics curriculums, pick an undergraduate course with as much mathematical content as possible. You will really need it later, no matter what sort of economics you study. I did a year and a half of maths PhD courses during my PhD (in economics)- even if you don't do a Phd you'll need to be good at maths for a masters and in any economics related job you do.

One of the bests 'math-y' undergraduate programs is LSE's BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. Otherwise, there are plenty of good undergrad programs continental Europe, which are much, much cheaper.

Edit: PM me if you have any more questions- we're hijacking this thread.

 

[474474]

If you still haven't taken your A levels, my advice to you is to relax and not worry about the future! In terms of what you can do now, in order to work towards a career as an economist- study as much maths as you can. While all universities offer similar undergraduate economics curriculums, pick an undergraduate course with as much mathematical content as possible. You will really need it later, no matter what sort of economics you study. I did a year and a half of maths PhD courses during my PhD (in economics)- even if you don't do a Phd you'll need to be good at maths for a masters and in any economics related job you do.

One of the bests 'math-y' undergraduate programs is LSE's BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. Otherwise, there are plenty of good undergrad programs continental Europe, which are much, much cheaper.

Edit: PM me if you have any more questions- we're hijacking this thread.

Pyar kiya tou darna kiya?
So this is fine for now I guess (character limit on profiles):p

So I was thinking, A level grading is pretty stupid for economics, I got a B while complete (relative) dumbasses got A in the AS levels. So with big names like LSE the problem is both money and grades. Like if I was such an amazing student I wouldn't mind going into debt to get an LSE degree. I need a school I can afford. Also I'm the only Economics student with Physics also and one of 2 with Maths. Also most of the Eco A level students just take it to fill the minimum number of subjects, and will go into business/finance/accounts later. A while ago Eco was my main thing for uni but now it's kind of become a back up since everyone only talks about careers in economics in such vague terms as compared to the branches of Engineering. I'd really appreciate your help because otherwise I'll probably just end up in Computer Engineering.

 

[asquare]

Pyar kiya tou darna kiya?
So this is fine for now I guess (character limit on profiles):p

So I was thinking, A level grading is pretty stupid for economics, I got a B while complete (relative) dumbasses got A in the AS levels. So with big names like LSE the problem is both money and grades. Like if I was such an amazing student I wouldn't mind going into debt to get an LSE degree. I need a school I can afford. Also I'm the only Economics student with Physics also and one of 2 with Maths. Also most of the Eco A level students just take it to fill the minimum number of subjects, and will go into business/finance/accounts later. A while ago Eco was my main thing for uni but now it's kind of become a back up since everyone only talks about careers in economics in such vague terms as compared to the branches of Engineering. I'd really appreciate your help because otherwise I'll probably just end up in Computer Engineering.

I wouldn't want you to end up in Computer Engineering...a fate worse than death! The three areas I mentioned above are where a lot of econ students end up working, a few end up in econ academia. Econ professors get paid a lot more than most other disciplines (except finance, accounting and marketing). Because economists are in such high demand you can end up doing, within reason, pretty much anything you're interested in (the other fields are jealous that economists seem to do everything these days, the call it economics' imperialism).

Maths and Physics are good preparation for economics, in fact a lot of maths/physics/computer science/engineering undergrads end up doing economics masters. They do as well as those who graduated in economics. Pure economics resembles maths much more than it does business or finance. Part of the benefit of studying economics from a good university is that you'll know enough maths and statistics to work in a lot of other fields (including finance), if you want. For instance, investment banks in the UK recruit students from LSE's Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME) MSc before they recruit students from the Finance MSc. This is because the EME students are very well equipped technically.

The UK universities are the most expensive. UCL and Warwick are the best after LSE/Oxford/Cambridge and are worth going to if you get a scholarship. In the rest of Europe there are many universities with excellent economics departments that are much cheaper and easier to get into than LSE/Oxford/Cambridge, but provide the same or higher quality of education. Check out Toulouse in France, Pompeu Fabra in Spain, Bonn and LMU in Germany, St Gallen and Lausanne in Switzerland, and Tilburg in the Nederlands. If you want to stay in Asia, the National University of Singapore is very good.

The US universities are good in the sense that they allow a great deal of flexibility for undergrads, including taking PhD level courses. I'm not naming the good US universities for econ, just look up US News' list of top econ departments, it's a reliable source.

Once you start applying outside the US and UK, not only do the universities get cheaper, it's also easier to get scholarships. Apply for every scholarship you can find, especially those targeted at developing country students. You'll end up getting something. I didn't have to pay for anything after my undergrad (which I did in India).

 

[474474]

I wouldn't want you to end up in Computer Engineering...a fate worse than death! The three areas I mentioned above are where a lot of econ students end up working, a few end up in econ academia. Econ professors get paid a lot more than most other disciplines (except finance, accounting and marketing). Because economists are in such high demand you can end up doing, within reason, pretty much anything you're interested in (the other fields are jealous that economists seem to do everything these days, the call it economics' imperialism).

Maths and Physics are good preparation for economics, in fact a lot of maths/physics/computer science/engineering undergrads end up doing economics masters. They do as well as those who graduated in economics. Pure economics resembles maths much more than it does business or finance. Part of the benefit of studying economics from a good university is that you'll know enough maths and statistics to work in a lot of other fields (including finance), if you want. For instance, investment banks in the UK recruit students from LSE's Econometrics and Mathematical Economics (EME) MSc before they recruit students from the Finance MSc. This is because the EME students are very well equipped technically.

The UK universities are the most expensive. UCL and Warwick are the best after LSE/Oxford/Cambridge and are worth going to if you get a scholarship. In the rest of Europe there are many universities with excellent economics departments that are much cheaper and easier to get into than LSE/Oxford/Cambridge, but provide the same or higher quality of education. Check out Toulouse in France, Pompeu Fabra in Spain, Bonn and LMU in Germany, St Gallen and Lausanne in Switzerland, and Tilburg in the Nederlands. If you want to stay in Asia, the National University of Singapore is very good.

The US universities are good in the sense that they allow a great deal of flexibility for undergrads, including taking PhD level courses. I'm not naming the good US universities for econ, just look up US News' list of top econ departments, it's a reliable source.

Once you start applying outside the US and UK, not only do the universities get cheaper, it's also easier to get scholarships. Apply for every scholarship you can find, especially those targeted at developing country students. You'll end up getting something. I didn't have to pay for anything after my undergrad (which I did in India).

WHat about Canada, you have any idea about their fees? Actually do you have any numbers for any?

 

[Romeoo]

Horus, I'm going to hold you to your promise you made that the new generation = new way of thinking.

This university could be the hotbed of great interaction between students and academia from each of the countries, coming together to promote great cultural bonds. Where students would get to experience an education that would introduce them to the various member countries rich culture and history.

You would see students from all over the world joining this university and not just from the region. Imagine having that level of cultural exchange. Education of this sorts is a beautiful thing. Don't let the poison of bias blind you.


.

You want us to believe or trust india India is not trust worthy we can look at the past and no no cant trust them sorry.???/

who

Just throw them our of SAARC this will be better for future of SAARC.

who the hell makes India the chaudhry go eat some wada paw ***???hole

 

[KingMamba]

The university should have been in Lanka.

 

[Romeoo]

Many Pakistanis and even Bangladehis are saying that the university should not be built in India but elsewhere. Then why they agreed in first place to build the SAU in New Delhi. They had all rights to disagree just like Pakistan refuses to give free access and transit to SAARC members over her land.

I think India and others should disallow Pakistan and go ahead with the University. India should take the cost arising out of expulsion of Pakistan from this university. They are anyways not interested.


Dont fool yourself and others. Even i came across this news from south india where a pakistani student was beaten up because he was harrassing a girl student. He was simply beaten up by the friends and relatives of the girl and he left for pakistan without any serious injuries.

yes right do you think everybody on PDF dumb you laying troll.

 

[SarthakGanguly]

NEW DELHI: The Parliamentary standing committee on external affairs has asked the ministry to “pursue” Pakistan’s failure to contribute a single penny towards the running of South Asian University since its inception. The agreed formula was that India would contribute 51.8 per cent towards the operational costs, with Pakistan having the next highest share at 11.83 per cent.

Pakistan has the unique distinction among all SAARC members of never paying its contribution ever for the University. Starting from 2010, Pakistan owes a grand total of million (Rs 49.5 crore) towards the project.

The external affairs ministry standing committee, specifically asked the ministry to pursue the matter of Pakistan’s non-contribution “at the SAARC forum and emphasize the need for timely contribution by each of the member states”.

In the first two years of 2010 and 2011, India promptly paid up its dues which were (`4.7 crore) and million (`19 crore), respectively. The problem started from 2012, when India paid its dues but fell short of (`1.2 crore). The figures furnished by the MEA to the committee show that in 2013, India failed to pay the entire amount of million (`64.6 crore). The quantum for contributions received this year also remains zero for India, so far. It has to contribute an enhanced amount of million (`90.7 crore) in 2014. India has been facing a deficit problem for the last 2-3 years which have seen cuts across ministries. The ministry told the panel that the enhanced allocation towards the university will be not just towards the commencement of the construction, but also towards its share of operational contribution.

Besides India and Pakistan, the only other country who has not paid their contribution for 2013 and 2014 is Maldives. Afghanistan, the poorest country in South Asia, has dutifully given its contribution for last four years – but has yet to send its allocation for 2014. All the other SAARC members, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka have made their payments.

The new timeline for setting up the campus is 2017. The cost of the construction has been revised to `334 crore from the initial `204.2 crore. MEA reiterated that “government is committed to bear 100 per cent capital costs towards the establishment of the university”.

Pakistan Didn't Pay a Penny for South Asia University; India Stops Midway -The New Indian Express

@Armstrong @SarthakGanguly @scorpionx @Guynextdoor2 @ranjeet @jarves @levina @Spring Onion @BDforever @DRAY

It is good that Pakistan has not. Pakistan is a misfit in SAARC in the first place. They are better off with Central Asian or Middle Eastern states, its their call. We should not bother about Pakistan not paying.

 

[SipahSalar]

Why doesn't shining India pay in our stead?

 

[SarthakGanguly]

Many Pakistanis and even Bangladehis are saying that the university should not be built in India but elsewhere. Then why they agreed in first place to build the SAU in New Delhi. They had all rights to disagree just like Pakistan refuses to give free access and transit to SAARC members over her land.

I think India and others should disallow Pakistan and go ahead with the University. India should take the cost arising out of expulsion of Pakistan from this university. They are anyways not interested.


Dont fool yourself and others. Even i came across this news from south india where a pakistani student was beaten up because he was harrassing a girl student. He was simply beaten up by the friends and relatives of the girl and he left for pakistan without any serious injuries.

Exactly. Pakistan is not a de facto a member of SAARC. We should recognize this and move on. And yes, not allow Pak students here of course.

Besides, Pakistan's contribution to education is abysmal in their own country. So investing in India? Who are we kidding?

Pakistan should resign from the SAARC and the other countries should be willing to let her go.

@US_statedept_retired

Sir the simple fact is that this Uni offers us no merit. Pakistani exchange students are regularly harrassed and beaten by uber nationalist Indians.

Pakistanis are not allowed to play cricket in Indian IPL even. The amount of racism there is out of one's imagination, especially towards Pakistanis. Considering the rape epidamic in India, its not possible to send Pakistani females to study there.

If someone can convince me that the benefits of paying for a University in India outweigh the benefits of building a University in Pakistan with that money, i'm willing to say amen to this Uni.

Quoted for posterity.

@SpArK - You can take your screenshot here.

In order of points underlined -
i. Pakistani students study all over Indian universities - and you can make them out from other students.
ii. Indians and Pakistanis are the same race, racism is a ridiculous allegation. It's like North Korea being racist against the South.
iii. Epidemic(I guess)...well...yeah, we could not better the 0 rapes in Pakistan for last 5 years...so that makes us comparatively worse.

Other than the "rape" accusations, which is a bit of a stretch and then too accommodations could be made for the security of your female participants. Let me put this way- would you send your sister or daughter to American universities? If so, name which ones and I will give you the statics of sexual assaults in each state among those universities. Rape is crime done by criminals, and not a crime that is supported by any state against any people.

Everything else you stated is specifically why you should encourage this exchange. How do you eliminate the hurdles, misconceptions and ill advised attitudes if you put up new ones?

It is not in the interest of Pakistan to eliminate the aforementioned hurdles. That is my opinion.