For decades, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy has stood at the intersection of science, education, and public thought in Pakistan. A distinguished physicist, educator, author, and public intellectual, he has dedicated much of his life to asking difficult questions about where Pakistan is headed and what it must do to build a better future. His journey has also brought him into conversation with some of the country’s most important scientific figures, including Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus Salam, whom he once interviewed.

For our documentary The Last Rationalist, Rava Documentary Films had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Hoodbhoy and hear his story in his own words. He spoke about his life and career, his experiences in Pakistan’s academic and scientific institutions, and his thoughts on the state of education and universities in the country today. He shared his perspective on why the quality of education given to students is so critical to Pakistan’s future, and what he believes must change if the country is to move forward. From the way we educate our children to the state of our universities and the future of science in Pakistan, Dr. Hoodbhoy offered insights that raise some difficult and important questions.