Dear BUP/MIST students, how helpful are the faculty members of these institutes?

Hi! I'm planning to pursue an MSc in CSE at either MIST or BUP. My goal is to complete the degree and then apply for a PhD or further studies abroad. I have a few questions about these universities:

1. How is the research environment? Are the faculty members supportive when it comes to research and publishing papers?
2. If I plan to apply abroad after graduation, how easy or difficult is it to obtain strong Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from the faculty?
3. How challenging is the grading system? Is it realistic to maintain a CGPA of around 3.8–3.9 with consistent effort?

I'd really appreciate it if you could share your experience. Thank you!