·       The Higher Education Commission has, since its inception, adopted a proactive policy of encouraging the sponsors/management to establish/strengthen universities/institutions to make them high quality seats of learning. Since, the public sector cannot cope with the ever surging student population desirous of seeking place in higher education without the support of private sector, therefore, a deliberate effort has been made to attract private sector to come forward to cater for increasing demands of the student community.

·       A committee was constituted comprising Chairman, HEC, Deputy Chairman Planning and Secretary Finance to formulate the eligibility criteria for provision of HEC funding to the private sector universities.

1.     The University must be not-for-profit. None of the founders should be deriving any monetary benefit form the University.

2.     At least 70% of the courses at the University must be taught by full-time faculty.

3.     The University must have a campus of its own that meets all the basic needs of the entire student body and the programs offered so that the survival of the University is ensured.

4.     The University must have a proper governance structure and a credible Board of Trustees (preferably on model university ordinance).

5.     The University must follow established accounting procedures and its accounts must be audited by Auditor General of Pakistan to the extent of the government funds.

6.     Admission to the University must be purely on merit and on a”need blind” basis with a transparent admission process and a system for meeting the financial needs of the deserving students that require financial aid.

7.     The Cabinet criteria for establishment of universities/institutions of higher learning i.e. building/space, faulty, teacher-to-student ratio, infrastructure, internet connectivity], extra curricular facilities etc should be met by these private sector universities/institutions requesting for funding.

8.     The maximum limit for matching grant to be provided by government to private sector universities will be up to 50% of the proposed cost. This includes matching grant for digital library access and the international bandwidth access. 

Chancellor’s Committee in its meeting held on 11^th May 2006 under the Chairmanship of the President of Pakistan decided:

The criteria and mechanism of support of private sector universities and institutions developed by the committee headed by the Chairman HEC and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Secretary Finance was agreed to. A special committee will be formulated by the HEC with representatives of the Provincial Governments as well as the Finance Ministry and Planning Division, to decide on all eligibility issues of private institutions to apply for funding and will forward select proposals to the HEC for consideration of funding at DDWP/CDWP or ECNEC.

1-                 Member (Operation & Planning), HEC           Convener

2-                 Representative of Finance Division, GOP       Member

3-                 Representative of P&D Division, GOP           Member

4-                 Secretary or representatives of Provincial        Members

                    Higher Education Departments

5-                 Representative of AJ&K Govt.                       Member

6-                 Director Planning HEC                                  Member/Secretary

The Special Committee in its 1^st meeting held on 14-9-2006 decided that:

Only private universities/institutes categorized as ‘W’ (which meets the criteria approved by the Cabinet on February 27, 2002) will be considered for public support/funding. All other private universities/institutes shall be informed that once they come up to the ‘W’ category, their requests for the public support will also be considered.

Higher Education Commission provides funding in the following areas:

       (a)      Research Support Programs and Faculty Development & Training Facilities (100% HEC funding).

      (b)      Foreign Faculty Hiring Program, PERN, and Digital Library (up to 50% cost sharing by HEC).

      (c)      Major development projects of infrastructure, academic and research facilities (up to 50% cost sharing by HEC).

 

#	Eligible Criteria	Remarks.
1.	The University must be not-for-profit. None of the founders should be deriving any monetary benefit from the University.	A certificate from the Commissioner Income Tax, Registration of the Foundation/Trust. Audited Reports for the last two years A certificate on the stamp paper that university is not for profit and HEC has the right to inspect/verify any document in this regard.
2.	At least 70% of the courses at the University must be taught by full-time faculty.	List of permanent faculty members, their qualification and academic load.
3.	The University must have a campus of it sown that meets all the basic needs of the entire student body and the programs offered so that the survival of the University is ensured.	Documents of land and other in support of the claim
4.	The University must have a proper governance structure and a credible Board of Trustees (preferably on model university ordinance).	The list of the members of BOG, Managing Committee, Board of Trustee and Academic Council and/or other statutory bodies.
5.	The University must follow established accounting procedures and its accounts must be audited by Auditor General of Pakistan to the extent of the Government Funds.	Audit Accounts of the Institute for the last 2 years will be attached.
6.	Admission to the University must be purely on merit and on a “need blind” basis with a transparent admission process and a system for meeting the financial needs of the deserving students that require financial aid	The admission criteria and admission policy, entry test etc be attached in support.

      (1)      GIK Institute of Engineering & Technology, Topi

      (2)      Aga Khan University, Karachi

      (3)      Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore

      (4)      National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST), Islamabad

      (5)      Indus Institute of Higher Education, Karachi

      (6)      Institute of Business and Technology, Karachi

      (7)      Foundation University, Islamabad

      (8)      Riphah International University, Islamabad

      (9)      University of Management Technology, Lahore

    (10)    Zia ud Din University, Karachi

    (11)    The University of Faisalabad

    (12)    Institute of Business Management, Karachi

    (13)    Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi

    (14)    Beaconhouse National University, Lahore

    (15)    Iqra University

    (16)    The University of Lahore

    (17)    Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology (SZABIST)

    (18)    Isra University, Haydrabad