In order to ensure that academic standards in Pakistan meet international norms of quality, the HEC seeks the services of foreign experts in various disciplines from universities in leading industrialized countries to provide consultation in a variety of critical areas. The HEC has mandated consultation from foreign experts when awarding PhD degrees; ensuring that each thesis is refereed and approved by at least two experts from technologically advanced countries before a doctoral degree is awarded. Faculty appointments under the recently instituted Model Tenure Track Scheme are also subject to international review. Under this system, permanent faculty positions in universities are provided subject to the demonstration of excellence in an initial probationary period as determined by a body of subject-specific international experts.