| 3rd Annual Conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities Begins | 3rd Annual Conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities Begins | <p>Islamabad, November 18, 2019: The two-day 3<sup>rd</sup> Annual Conference of CPEC Consortium of CPEC Universities was inaugurated under the aegis of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad on Monday. The theme of the conference is Academic Collaboration for Sustainable Partnerships.<br></p><p>Makhdoom Khusro Bukhtiar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform was chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Asghar, Consultant CPEC, HEC, Mr. Guan Peijun, Vice President, Chinese Association of Higher Education, and Dr. Moeed Yousuf, Chairman, Strategic Policy Planning Cell also graced the occasion. <br></p><p>The CPEC Consortium of Universities was founded in Islamabad in August 2017 as "CPEC Consortium of Business Schools" to promote business-to-business linkages between China and Pakistan and help study relocation of Chinese businesses in the planned industrial parks in Pakistan under CPEC. The initiative was launched under the auspices of HEC and China Association of Higher Education (CAHE). However, the scope of the Consortium has been enhanced to cover all major domains of higher education and currently as many as 56 universities from two countries are now a part of the Consortium. <br></p><p>Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Bukhtiar hoped that the collaboration under the banner of CPEC Consortium of Universities would broaden the scope of bilateral relations between Pakistan and China. He said that the various components covered under CPEC Consortium of Universities would further improve people-to-people contacts. He said the academic community's role through the Consortium would pave the way for economic growth as all this coincides with the 4<sup>th </sup>industrial revolution. <br></p><p>The Minister urged the universities to carry out diagnostic studies of all crucial sectors, as it would unleash the potential areas in which Pakistan needs to conduct research and come up with sustainable solutions. He stressed the need for promoting broad-based cooperation and synergy to jointly work in different fields including data science, artificial intelligence, technology, agriculture. He assured the academia of all-out government's support in this regard. <br></p><p>In his address, the Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan and China enjoy cordial relations. He added that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, including the CPEC Consortium of Universities, are recent manifestations of strong bilateral relations. He said the Consortium is a vital platform to connect people of both the countries. <br></p><p>In his remarks, Dr. Moeed Yusuf said it is the age of global connectivity, in which the Consortium of Universities will play its important role in execution of CPEC and the Road and Belt initiatives. He encouraged the universities to conduct research on important national issues and bring their findings to the Strategic Policy Planning Cell. "Academics play an important role in informing policy makers in what works and what doesn't. I encourage institutions of higher learning to come up with solutions to our national problems so that same may be presented to policy makers," he said.<br></p><p>Earlier, in his welcome address, Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Asghar said the conference will help promote people-to-people contacts. He emphasised that Pakistan needs to learn from China as to how it lifted its population from poverty. He noted that economic supremacy of China is due to its technological advancement, as it has excelled in 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Quantum Computing, and other technological spheres. <br></p><p>As many as 28000 Pakistani students are currently studying in Chinese institutions. He said the CPEC Consortium of Universities is a common platform of Pakistan and China to collaborate in a large number of areas focused on socio-economic development.<br></p><p>He said that various sessions of the conference will review progress of academic collaborations among partner institutions, identify new areas of cooperation for development of human resource, seek ways to expand academic linkages among the universities of the two countries, promote harmony and invigorate people-to-people contacts, explore joint research projects and areas of convergence, plan joint conferences, seminars and workshops, strive for internationalisation of higher education, and support historic transition under CPEC.<br></p><p>The conference also includes a higher education, Science, Arts and Technology Expo where the participating universities have displayed their products, particularly artwork. <br></p><p>Three parallel sessions were held on the first day including Developing Research Universities for Lead Role in National Development, Teaching Excellence for Employability of Graduates, and Research Management to Solve National and Regional Challenges with a Focus on CPEC.<br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 19-11-2019 05:18:17 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Annual-Conference-CPEC.aspx |
| 2-day Conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities to Begin on Monday | 2-day Conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities to Begin on Monday | <p>Islamabad, November 15, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will hold a two-day 3<sup>rd</sup> Annual Conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities from November 18-19, 2019 under the theme, Academic Collaboration for Sustainable Partnerships. <br></p><p>The conference also includes a higher education, Science, Arts and Technology Expo by participating universities. <br></p><p>The objective of this conference is to review progress of academic collaborations among partner institutions, identify new areas of cooperation for development of human resource, expand academic linkages among the universities of the two countries, promote civilisational harmony and invigorate people-to-people contacts, explore joint research projects and areas of convergence, plan joint conferences, seminars and workshops, strive for internationalisation of higher education, and support historic transition under CPEC.<br></p><p>The CPEC Consortium of Universities was founded in Islamabad in August 2017 as "CPEC Consortium of Business Schools" to promote business-to-business linkages between China and Pakistan and help study relocation of Chinese businesses in the planned industrial parks in Pakistan under the CPEC. <br></p><p>The initiative was launched under the auspices of HEC and China Association of Higher Education (CAHE). It was attended by nine Chinese and 10 Pakistani business schools and universities. Its scope was expanded in the follow-up meeting held in Fudan University to encompass other areas in the domain of higher education and the association was renamed as "CPEC Consortium of Universities". <br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 19-11-2019 05:16:29 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Conference-CPEC.aspx |
| HEC Constitutes Committee to Probe Alleged Ghost Professors Scandal | HEC Constitutes Committee to Probe Alleged Ghost Professors Scandal | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, November 12, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has constituted a Fact Finding Committee to probe into the allegations of irregularities in the Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme (FFHP) at GCU Lahore's Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences. The Committee will also review the operation of FFHP at other universities. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The three-member Committee will probe the matter and will submit its recommendation to the competent authority within one month. While, the Committee will not probe into the details being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at GCU Lahore, it will address the overall concerns arising out of the reports published in a section of the press, and being commented upon on social media.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">It is pertinent to mention here that Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme was launched by HEC in 2003 to seek services of qualified academics and researchers for offering technical support in development of new programmes, providing trainings for teaching and research, and building capacity for PhD supervision. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The foreign faculty programme was not limited to GCU, and around 40 universities across Pakistan benefitted from the qualified visiting experts. Over 300 highly qualified professors joined various universities under this programme. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============<br></p> | 13-11-2019 06:38:34 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Ghost-Professors-Scandal.aspx |
| HEC, Huawei hold Training on Artificial Intelligence | HEC, Huawei hold Training on Artificial Intelligence | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, November 8, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Huawei Technologies Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. jointly organized the first 'Train the Trainers' Training for Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at HEC Secretariat, Islamabad. The eight-day training, conducted by Huawei AI Experts from China, was attended by trainers from 11 universities across Pakistan.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The training is a part of Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (PIAIC). The training aims at Artificial Intelligence talent development in Pakistan. The HCIA-AI training and certification will cultivate entrepreneurial talent for the professionals of Artificial Intelligence helping them to use the AI framework in the industry for development and innovation.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr. Fateh Marri, Executive Director HEC, was chief guest in the closing ceremony, which was also attended by Mr. Shahzad Rasheed, Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Huawei Enterprise Business Group Pakistan, delegates from various universities. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Addressing the audience, Dr. Marri emphasized on the importance of Artificial Intelligence in understanding modern tools in education sector but also its relevance for overall economic growth of any nation. He also mentioned the importance of close relationship between industry and academia to achieve the objective of problem solving in all aspects of life. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Mr. Shahzad Rasheed congratulated the trainees for being selected for the prestigious training. He elaborated usefulness of Artificial Intelligence in building bridges for solving various problems faced by the country and assured Huawei's complete support.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============<br></p> | 11-11-2019 06:11:11 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Artificial-Intelligence.aspx |
| HEC, NCSW Sign DoU to Establish National Library, Women’s Museum | HEC, NCSW Sign DoU to Establish National Library, Women’s Museum | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, October 31, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) have agreed to collaborate to set up a Public Library and Women's Museum/Archives in Islamabad. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The agreement was signed by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC and Ms. Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson NCSW during a ceremony held at HEC Secretariat on Wednesday.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">As per Document of Understanding (DoU), the two sides seek to establish a library, museum, and archive to support education, research and training on women's role and contribution to the country's progress. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The purpose of the DoU is to create a framework of cooperation and describe the roles and responsibilities of the two parties for establishment and development of libraries and museums and archives in various cities of Pakistan. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">A Project Steering Committee (PSC), co-chaired by Chairman HEC and Chairperson NCSW, will be constituted in order to recommend necessary policy decisions. The committee will also support universities seeking to undertake complementary activities. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">HEC and NCSW will collaborate in the establishment of a library in Islamabad. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The NCSW will be responsible for maintenance of records and documentation, mapping of available resources, analysis of archival material, and dissemination of information to all stakeholders. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============<br></p> | 04-11-2019 07:13:04 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/NCSW-Sign-DoU.aspx |
| Vice Chancellors Welcome Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Project | Vice Chancellors Welcome Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Project | <p>Islamabad October 26, 2019: Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation has termed the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Project as highly transformational, as it is the largest ever need-based scholarship programme to promote human capital investment. The formal launch of the programme by the Prime Minister is planned for next week.<br></p><p>She was telephonically addressing the 26<sup>th</sup> Vice Chancellors Committee Meeting convened by Dr. Muhammad Ali, Chair of the VCs Committee to brief them about Government's upcoming Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships. The heads of public sector universities across the country attended the meeting at HEC Secretariat on Saturday, majority of them joined through video link from their campuses.<br></p><p>She said that the Prime Minister Imran Khan is keen that this programme should benefit maximum number of students across the country, and that the Government will allocate more resources for it in the coming years.<br> <br>Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) gave a detailed briefing to the Vice Chancellors on the newly conceptualised scholarships, entitled Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Project.<br> <br>Dr. Banuri said the Scheme is the largest ever undergraduate scholarship initiative of Pakistan seeking to award 50,000 scholarships per year to undergraduate students from low-income families. He said that this is an outcome of mutual understanding between HEC and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) under the auspices of Government's Ehsaas Programme.<br> In the last 14 years, HEC has awarded a total of around 30,000 undergraduate scholarships, while this Scheme will give 50,000 scholarships every year. It is a huge paradigm shift. "The objective is that no child should remain deprived of education due to financial constraints."<br> <br>The Project will award Ehsaas scholarships to low-income students enrolled in four and five-year undergraduate programmes. All students from low-income families studying in undergraduate programs in public sector universities are eligible to apply. Selection will be based on need-cum-merit, i.e., on the basis of the student's GPA and family income (below a maximum threshold). The scholarship cover tuition fee and a living stipend.<br> <br>Fifty per cent of the scholarships will be awarded to female students, while students with special needs as well as those from remote and disadvantaged areas will also be encouraged to apply. He informed the VCs that Rs. 20 billion i.e., Rs. 5 billion per annum have been allocated to the scheme for four years. However, the amount could be increased.<br> <br>Dr. Banuri emphasized that that universities must disburse the amount justly and speedily so that students do not face problems in pursuing their studies. He also emphasised on strengthening universities' vetting system to ensure transparency in award of scholarships.<br> <br>A Steering Committee, jointly headed by Dr. Sania Nishtar and Dr. Tariq Banuri has been established to formulate policy guidelines. On-the-ground management will be in the hands of the participating universities, which will have to establish transparent operational systems to administer the scheme. "We need to work as a team to make this mega scheme a success," he concluded.<br> <br>Dr. Banuri made it clear that the scholarship scheme is no substitute for the higher education sector's funding. "We request the government to ensure provision of the required resources to the sector and reverse the recent funding cuts."<br> <br>University heads from across the country spoke on the occasion. They appreciated the Government for launching a project that would provide relief and assistance to thousands of students and their families in all regions of the country. They raised various queries and provided advice about mechanism of scholarship distribution and disbursement.<br></p><p>===============<br></p><p><br></p> | 29-10-2019 08:53:45 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Ehsaas-Scholarship-Project.aspx |
| HEC to Promote Student-Centered Policies | HEC to Promote Student-Centered Policies | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, October 22, 2019: HEC as well as the Vice Chancellors are agreed that students are the primary focus of universities. Universities need to ensure that their students get the skills that will enable them to achieve success in their life. Likewise, universities must protect the rights of their students to safety and privacy. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) while talking to media persons on Tuesday. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Informing the media persons of the proceedings of the 25<sup>th</sup> Vice Chancellors Committee meeting held on Monday, he said the university heads brought three agenda items -- safety and security of Vice Chancellors; safety and security of students; and, the drastic cut in the higher education sector's funding -- under consideration. Dr. Banuri expressed his deep concerns over recent tragic incidents, stating that every student is a responsibility of the university and the HEC. "We must ensure that students are protected, nurtured, and facilitated." He emphasised the need to set up a system which in such tragic incidents did not happen because of anyone's negligence or inaction.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">In the meeting, the VCs had expressed their anxiety regarding the attack on the VC of Federal Urdu University, and floated a number of proposals regarding the challenges facing the higher education institutions. They stressed the need for ensuring the safety and security of Vice Chancellors. The job of a Vice Chancellor is one of the most difficult in Pakistan. The VCs have to bear the brunt of a myriad of pressures, and need to be protected against uncivil behavior. Dr. Banuri urged the government to ensure the security of educationists. He also proposed that university heads should formulate an Academic Code of Conduct. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">HEC has initiated a number of programs aimed at enhancing student success. These include the revamping of the undergraduate curriculum, and in particular, the incorporation of "practical" competencies into the educational programs. These have been done in collaboration with the recently launched Kamyab Jawan program. Under this collaboration, internships and practical training opportunities will be created in order to facilitate student success in the job market. Secondly, an entrepreneurship program is being launched to support this who may wish to enter into business endeavors on their own. Finally, civic clubs at universities will be supported in order to build competencies in social engagement and interaction. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Furthermore, HEC has initiated discussions with provincial governments to revamp the system of university sports. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Besides the focus on student success, HEC has also started a review of policies regarding the protection of students' rights. This review has been triggered in part by the recent tragic incidents in various universities. A number of policies are being developed or revised in this regard. These include the review of the HEC's Anti-Harassment Policy 2011, with a view to addressing loopholes and strengthening review and appellate mechanisms. Second, HEC has adopted a Policy for Students with Disabilities, and has begun the process of operationalizing it. Third, HEC has issued interim guidelines on student safety, and is developing more detailed guidelines. These include procedural protocols, monitoring and inspection system, backup plans, safety drills, certification, and emergency mechanisms, and are based on a consolidation of various provisions that may have been developed by universities or other relevant institutions, and will cover all relevant areas, including building safety, safe handling of educational equipment and materials, medical emergencies, psychological problems and counseling, drug abuse, and student privacy. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Chairman emphasized the need for arranging psychological counseling to enable students to cope with stress, trauma, or cyber bullying or other forms of pressure from their peers as well as seniors. This will need the preparation of clear regulations, awareness creation and capacity building, recruitment of relevant personnel (e.g., medical officers and psychological counsellors) on campuses, and infrastructure investment. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Going beyond student services, Dr. Banuri discussed the funding crisis in universities. He said that HEC is in contact with the government to seek a reversal of the short sighted policy to starve universities of funding. "Pakistan is providing the lowest level of funding to the higher education sector". <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============<br></p> | 25-10-2019 11:17:41 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Protection-Students-Privacy.aspx |