A watchman at the Sheikh Zaid Islamic center at Agriculture University Peshawar is earning praise on social media for his incredible journey in his pursuit of education.
This overqualified watchmen recently completed his M.Phil degree from the same university he is doing his job at.
Hailing from the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Noor Marjan was recruited as a security guard at the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center at Agriculture University, Peshawar.
According to a local media publisher Independent Urdu, Marjan was appointed as a watchman at the age of 20 after his completing matriculation. Noor took on the job to feed his family and fund his education.
Later along with his duties, he did his FA and BA as a private candidate. He did masters as a regular student and then enrolled in MPhil at the same university where he performed his duties as a watchman.
Now he has an M.Phil degree in Islamic Studies. But unfortunately, he is still working as a watchman despite being overqualified. Noor dreams of being hired in a position that suits his academic qualification.
Noor Marjan’s MPhil thesis is nothing short of impressive. His research was on “Comparative Analysis of Tribal Customs with Customs of Hindus and Sikhs.”
Despite being overqualified, he hasn’t even been offered a better position at the University of Peshawar, where he’s dedicated 20 years of his life.
“Look at my degrees. I was recruited based on my matriculation (qualification). Later I privately attempted my FA/Intermediate and Bachelors in Arts (BA). After that, I secured admission for M.Phil after obtaining my regular Master’s degree. Now I have completed my M.Phil from the Peshawar University of Agriculture.”
Given that he comes from a poor family, his job as a watchman was a necessity. Like most people, he pursued higher education to obtain a better job.
“My dream was that after getting a higher education, I would lose my job as a watchman and get a better job, but I am still working as a watchman. Sometimes I get distraught that I am on guard duty despite getting my M.Phil degree. Still, I can’t give it up because if I give up, there is no other source of livelihood, and my pension will be lost.”
In fact, when he was offered better positions at the University of Peshawar, it was on the same salary as a watchman. Noor Marjan has worked in various departments at the university. In 2014, he was given the responsibility of Superintendent of Examinations, responsibilities he held for four years.
Later he was given the responsibility of a clerk at a university hostel. Now he is serving as a watchman again.
Most people with an MPhil don’t have extensive field experience. They’re valued for their research that comes from all those years of studying.
I know him personally he is very good man. He several times requested the management of Islamic center especially directors to give him official job in order to utilize his education but nobody in the whole center have pity on him.
— SYED FAHAD SHIRAZI (@fahadshirazy) July 27, 2020
He has demonstrated his research capabilities, which makes us wonder why won’t the University of Peshawar (or any other) offer him a suitable position and a fair wage.
