The reported cuts in funding of universities has caused a veritable suspension of educational activities. With out disbursement of scholarship money to students that are already in mid-semesters abroad, Pakistani students in England are literally begging for funds in mosques to finance their educational expenses. Why cant the government get rid of at least half of this army of ministers and advisers to divert funds to universities at home and students abroad? This is the age of science and technology. We simply cannot afford to reduce emphasis on higher education. We ought not waste funds on building monuments for politicians dead and gone and should invest such funds in research and development in our academia. -DR MUHAM-MAD YAQOOB BHATTI, Lahore, September 23.