| HEC Launches National Academy of Higher Education | HEC Launches National Academy of Higher Education | <p>Islamabad, June 12, 2019: In continuation of its efforts to enable the country's higher education sector to become more effective in academic excellence, management and problem-oriented research, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan Wednesday held launch conference of the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). <br></p><p>Dr. Arif Alvi, President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan graced the occasion as chief guest, while Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training was the guest of honour. The event was attended by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC, Mr. Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz, Punjab Minister for Higher Education, Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan, Country Director, South Asian Region, World Bank, and a large number of Vice Chancellors and notable figures from academia.<br></p><p>Addressing the launch ceremony, Dr. Alvi emphasised the need for evolving an education system that caters to the requirements of current and future challenges. He remarked that the dream of a golden tomorrow will not come true without development in the education sector. He observed that the future challenges are tremendous, so NAHE will have to be very smart in playing its part and providing dynamic means to meet academic challenges. "HEC will have to look at the needs of tomorrow and plan accordingly." <br></p><p>The President stated that human factor plays a key role in development of a country, as nations are built by people. He maintained that quality of teaching and learning must be given due importance, as teaching embodies all the skills required to dissemination of knowledge and effective communication. <br></p><p>Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood pointed out that lack of proper training for academic leadership is one of the major shortcomings of the country's education system. NAHE will prove to be of great weight and substance in coping up with this shortcoming, as it will build capacity in the field of university management, he hoped. He emphasised that the education system must be in consonance with job market needs. He affirmed that Pakistan's future hinges upon quality human resource. <br></p><p>Reiterating the Government's commitment to education, he said the Government will extend all-out support to HEC in its efforts promote access, quality and relevance. <br></p><p>Dr. Tariq Banuri said HEC is committed to mainstreaming quality and relevance into the higher education system, adding that NAHE is one of the instruments to ensure greater efficiency and transparency in the education system. He added that the initial approach towards quality was quantitative, asserting that establishment of NAHE is a testimony to HEC's focus on quality. He elaborated that NAHE will set norms for building of communities of excellence to determine quality standards. It will, he continued, build capacity of faculty, university leadership, and university staff, analyse areas and identify gaps required to be addressed, and set up a monitoring and evaluation system for higher education institutions.<br></p><p>The Chairman said HEC facilitates the higher education sector to analyse data and identify solutions to future academic challenges. He said the range of actions to be undertaken by NAHE are not new, as HEC has long supported capacity building for university faculty and leadership. The new development, he explained, is a renewed commitment to quality, mobilisation of a community of excellence, embarking upon a continuous process of reflection, analaysis and reform, and integrating capacity building centrally into university operations.<br></p><p>He thanked the President and the Minister for their support to the higher education sector, while quoting Maulana Rumi as saying, "The best of leaders are those who are always at the doors of scholars." At the end, he extended gratitude to HEC's development partners in establishment of NAHE, including the World Bank, British Council, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). <br></p><p>Addressing the preliminary session of the launch ceremony, Mr. Illangovan underlined that the World Bank is looking forward to achievement of goals through NAHE. He observed that the Government of Pakistan accords great importance to human capital. The youth bulge will turn into demographic dividend, he hoped. <br></p><p>Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor LUMS noted that establishment of NAHE reaffirms the commitment to enhanced quality learning in Pakistan.<br></p><p>Ms. Alison Johns, Chief Executive Advance Higher Education, UK shed light on Advance Higher Education's work in Pakistan. She said the presence of President of Pakistan and notable academicians in the ceremony manifests significance of the launch of NAHE. She assured of support from Advance Higher Education in smooth operations of the Academy. <br></p><p>The session was also addressed by Mr. Sarfaraz and Dr. Barbara Oakley, Professor of Engineering, Oakland University, Michigan. <br></p><p>The main objective of NAHE is to meet HEC's mission of improving the quality of teaching, learning and research in HEIs of Pakistan in addition to capacity building and promotion of academic and leadership competencies. It will offer generic as well as need-based capacity building services to enhance quality of teaching, research, and management in higher education institutions. <br></p><p>Moreover, the Academy will cater to the prevailing need for quality across different spheres and realms of academics and HEIs through different interventions and series of programmes. To this end, the quality standards for the respective interventions including capacity building, training modules and delivery mechanism will be neatly woven and piloted to ensure better impact. <br></p><p>Being an apex learning body, NAHE will institute and lead a broader national discourse around the purpose, perspective and policy in higher education and will help develop high quality human capital to achieve excellence in academic milieu. In order to develop desirable high quality human capital, it will work as a centre of excellence for capacity building, skill development, and promotion of academic and leadership competencies through setting standards, cultivating academic quality, and advancing relevant research in collaboration with HEIs, industry and social sector. <br></p><p>The Academy will design programmes, i.e., certifications, workshops, seminars, conferences, and webinars for academic professionals, institutional leaders, university management and other academic leaders. <br></p><p>NAHE will inculcate leadership competencies and skills required in implementation of higher education policies. It will work on capacity building in the areas of R&D and entrepreneurship. It will design framework for embedding employability through quality teaching and will create partnerships among community, universities and industry at national as well as International level.<br></p><p>Furthermore, it will develop international collaboration with foreign higher education entities. It will also offer training packages for institutes other than higher education as per their demand. <br></p><p>The launch ceremony was followed by press conference of Dr. Banuri wherein he briefed the media persons about the objectives and functions of NAHE.<br></p><p>===============<br></p><p><br></p> | 12-06-2019 18:46:11 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/NAHE.aspx |
| HEC to Organize Summer Course for Faculty Members | HEC to Organize Summer Course for Faculty Members | <p>Islamabad, June 3, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will organize a six-week skills-based summer faculty development programme under the newly launched National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), from second week of July 2019, at HEC Islamabad. <br></p><p>NAHE has been established as an apex body for capacity building of faculty and management in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country. <br></p><p>The objective of this course is to equip young faculty members of both public and private HEIs with modern and innovative techniques in teaching and research. <br></p><p>Teaching and learning is a complex process which requires complete understanding of knowledge and skills, and depends upon certain factor, including faculty's' competencies, pre-service and in-service trainings one has gone through, teacher-student interaction, effective use of instructional material and assessment of students' achievement.<br></p><p>This training will also enable the participants to perform effectively according to what is desirable and feasible. The course will be conducted by national as well as international resource persons. <br></p><p>For details and online application, interested applicants may visit <a href="/english/HECAnnouncements/Pages/NAHE-FDP.aspx">https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/HECAnnouncements/Pages/NAHE-FDP.aspx</a>. They may also contact the Registrar Office of their respective universities for further details.<br></p><p>===============<br></p><p><br></p> | 03-06-2019 10:08:20 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Applications-Invited.aspx |
| NA Standing Committee Briefed on HEC’s Future Plans, Challenges | NA Standing Committee Briefed on HEC’s Future Plans, Challenges | <p>Islamabad, May 20, 2019: The universities will suffer if the indicated budgetary cuts are executed, said Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) while briefing a meeting of National Assembly's Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training with Mian Najeeb-ud-Din Awaisi in the chair at the Commission Secretariat here on Monday. <br></p><p>Highlighting challenges facing the higher education sector, the Chairman expressed concerns that instead of increase in the sector's budget, it has been fluctuating since the establishment of HEC in 2002. "Pakistan's education system is grossly under-funded." <br></p><p>He informed the committee members that HEC undertook an extensive budgetary assessment exercise jointly with the Ministry of Finance, according to which the estimated requirement of the higher education sector for FY 2019-20 is Rs. 103.550 billion. However, the higher education sector, as per Indicative Budgetary Ceilings (IBCs), has been allocated a recurring grant of only Rs. 58.50 billion for FY 2019-20. He maintained that the sector needs Rs. 55 billion development budget, while the IBCs show allocation of only Rs. 35.8 billion. <br></p><p>He explained that Pakistan spends hardly 2.8 per cent of its GDP on education, which must be at least four per cent. He added that the higher education sector must have at least one fourth of the four per cent, but unfortunately the sector could only get one tenth of the allocated amount. He hoped that despite financial challenges, the Government will keep in view the sector's requirement in the allocation of funds for the FY 2019-20. <br></p><p>The Chairman He said HEC was established in 2002 to pursue major objectives of increase in access, improvement in quality, and ensuring relevance of higher education and research to socio-economic needs of the country. Shedding light on HEC's progress towards achievement of its major objectives, he said as compared to only 2,76,000 students enrolled in universities in 2002, 1.6 million students are currently studying in universities. He added that the female student ratio was only 37 per cent before the establishment of HEC, which has now reached 44 per cent. <br></p><p>He maintained that 195 universities are presently operating in the country, though the number was only 60 about 17 years back. He highlighted that the number of per annum research publications has cross 14,000 as compared to merely 800 in 2002. Moreover, he said, HEC is focusing on quality and relevance of higher education and research and, in this regards, tangible measures are underway. He mentioned success of HEC projects including Technology Development Fund; Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation; Business Incubation Centres; National Research Programme for Universities; Social Integration Outreach Programme, and various other initiatives directed to promotion of a research culture in the country. <br></p><p>To a question regarding mushroom growth of private institutions, he said HEC is a regulatory body which sets standards for higher education institutions across the country. All the institutions need to fulfill HEC criteria before securing charter to operate anywhere in the country, he revealed.<br></p><p>Informing the legislators regarding HEC's future plans, Dr. Banuri said HEC is working on revival of National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) for training of potential university leadership, and capacity building of teaching and non-teaching staffs of universities. He also underlined HEC's efforts for promotion of ICT through expansion of Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN). He added that Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) is being executed to ensure transparency and efficiency in university operations. <br></p><p>The Chairman underscored that HEC is taking steps to bring systems reforms, develop fast track institutions, and promote fundraising, as HEC is committed to ensuring autonomy of universities. He vowed that IT platform will be fully exploited to further strengthen connectivity among universities and the academic community. He stated HEC is also fully aware of the need for global engagement to internationalise Pakistani universities and improve their international acknowledgements. <br></p><p>The meeting passed two bills including Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, and the Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation respectively presented by Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz and Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Members National Assembly, respectively. <br></p><p>On the occasion, Mr. Tahir Abbas Zaidi, Director General Accreditation and Attestation, HEC briefed the meeting regarding the University of Islamabad Bill 2019. <br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 22-05-2019 09:28:47 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/NA-Standing-Committee.aspx |
| Sri Lankan Delegation Visits HEC under Higher Education Cooperation Programme | Sri Lankan Delegation Visits HEC under Higher Education Cooperation Programme | <p>Islamabad, May 4, 2019: A delegation from Sri Lanka including Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Senior members of University Grant Commission (UGC), and Parliamentarians visited Higher Education Commission (HEC). The delegation is on a visit to Pakistan from May 2-9, 2019 as part of newly launched Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme. <br></p><p>During HEC's visit, the delegation held a meeting with senior HEC officials led by Dr. Fateh Marri, Member (Operations and Planning) and discussed issues of mutual academic and professional interest, particularly briefings on Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme and HEC's accreditation and attestation processes.<br></p><p>Dr. Marri expressed solidarity with the guests on recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. He emphasised that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy longstanding relations, which will be further strengthened by academic collaboration. He hoped that the two sides will further strengthen their academic bonds wherein universities of both the countries will contribute to finding solution to regional problems including poverty, food insecurity, and terrorism. <br></p><p>"The academia has a shared responsibility to promote quality higher education and research and produce skilled human resource in the region," he underlined. <br></p><p>Dr. Mazhar Saeed, Director General (Planning and Development) HEC shed light on Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme, which has five components including 1000 Allama Iqbal Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students, exchange of university faculty, trainings for Sri Lankan civil servants in areas of public administration, governance and leadership, establishment of a research centre on Asian Culture and Civilization in Sri Lanka as well as holding of Pakistan Higher Education Expo in Colombo.<br></p><p>He said that the programme includes 800 fully-funded and 200 partially-funded scholarships for Sri Lankan students to pursue undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in top-ranked Pakistani universities in the next five years. He said Sri Lankan students will be selected after entrance test, and a semester of foundation course for the incoming students will be arranged. <br></p><p>The scholarships will be awarded in various disciplines including Engineering, Basic and Advanced Sciences and Social Sciences. The Sri Lankan students and scholars will be placed in Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Comsats University, Islamabad, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Sukkur IBA University, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Government College University, Lahore, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, and University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. <br></p><p>Engineering students will be placed in 10 universities including NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Comsats University, Islamabad, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, National Textile University, Faisalabad, and National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad.<br></p><p>He further said that 50 short-term faculty exchanges will be made from Pakistan to Sri Lanka for seminars, conferences and other academic and research activities. Moreover, HEC will also offer 50 short-term trainings for Sri Lankan civil servants in areas of public administration, governance and leadership. He informed the delegation that preparations are underway for expo in Colombo, while deliberations are being made on establishment of Centre on Asian Culture and Civilization in one of the Sri Lankan universities.<br></p><p>The delegation expressed keen interest in the programme and assured that they will encourage their students to benefit from the scholarships. <br></p><p>On the occasion, Dr. Nadia Tahir, Managing Director Quality Assurance, HEC highlighted HEC's efforts to ensure quality of education and research in higher education institutions of Pakistan. She said Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) are working in all universities to meet and evaluate quality parameters. She also underscored HEC's endeavours to promote a research culture in Pakistani degree awarding institutions by setting up Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization and Business Incubation Centres.<br></p><p>Mr. Tahir Abbas Zaidi, Director General, Accreditation and Attestation, HEC described Commission's mandate and functions with respect to accreditation and attestation of institutions, academic programmes and qualifications in the country. He said that professional accreditation councils play a vital role in promotion of quality through accreditation, adding that HEC and the accreditation councils work in tandem to maintain quality standards of academic programmes being offered in the Pakistani universities. <br></p><p>Mr. Javed Iqbal, Director Library, HEC shared a presentation on HEC's Digital Library. He said the library provides researchers within public and private sector universities and non-government R&D organisations online access to international scholarly literature. <br></p><p>The delegates said Sri Lankan institutions are very keen to develop bilateral programmes with HEC and Pakistani universities. They also appreciated HEC's structure and operation model as well as its efforts to promote international collaboration.<br></p><p>The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Mr. Madhawa Dewasurendra, Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education; Prof. P. S. M. Gunaratne, Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission; Prof. E. M. P. Ekanayake, Vice Chancellor Wayamba University of Sri Lanka; Prof. F. C. Ragel, Vice Chancellor Eastern University of Sri Lanka; Prof. M. Sunil Shantha, Vice Chancellor Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka; Prof. J. L. Rathasekera, Vice Chancellor Uya Wellassa University of Sri Lanka; Dr. A. P. Madurapperna, Deputy Vice Chancellor Open University of Sri Lanka; Prof. P. K. S. Mahanama, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa; Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Millinda Peiris, former Vice Chancellor Kotewala Defence University; Dr. Thusitha S. L. W. Gunawardana, Dean (Faculty of Management) University of Ruhuna, Matara; Seyed Abdul Cader Mohammad Zuhyle, former Sri Lankan ambassador; and Mr. R. G. Upali Rajapakshe, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Students, Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana. The delegates will also visit different Pakistani universities during their weeklong tour. <br></p><p>The meeting was also attended by Mr. Awais Ahmed, Director General Administration and Coordination, HEC, Mr. Raza Chauhan, Director General Academic, HEC and other officers. <br></p><p>==============<br></p> | 09-05-2019 09:54:54 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Sri-Lankan-Delegation.aspx |
| HEC to Close Refund Case of PhD Scholar Martyred in Christchurch | HEC to Close Refund Case of PhD Scholar Martyred in Christchurch | <p>Islamabad, April 30, 2019: A misleading news item, concerning a PhD scholar who was martyred in Christchurch attack, was published in a section of the press on Tuesday.<br></p><p>It is clarified that the name of Mr. Haroon Mehmood has appeared in the list of those martyred in the recent Christchurch attack. It was later learned that in 2017 and 2018 HEC had sent numerous notices to an HEC scholar with the same name. The reason was that he had been awarded an HEC scholarship but left the country before completing his academic programme, and without informing HEC. He was sent notices every month during 2017 and 2018 and a final warning on April 15, 2019. He did not respond to any correspondence.<br></p><p>In response to the final notice, the family of the scholar contacted HEC to inform us that Mr. Haroon had become a victim of terrorism in Christchurch. His family was conveyed heartfelt condolences, and were informed that previous letters were issued because HEC had no information about his tragic demise. <br></p><p>Further, they have also been requested to provide documentation such as death certificate so that the case can be formally closed. <br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 02-05-2019 06:10:44 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/PhD-Scholar-Martyred-Christchurch.aspx |
| HEC Organises Pak-Afghan Cultural Event – Payam-e-Subh | HEC Organises Pak-Afghan Cultural Event – Payam-e-Subh | <p><strong>No One Can Subjugate Afghan Nation: President Alvi</strong><br></p><p>Islamabad, April 29, 2019: "Pakistan wants peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and will continue extending its all-out support in its rebuilding process." President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi stated this on Monday while addressing the Pak-Afghan cultural event, <em>Payam-e-Subh </em>organised by Higher Education Commission (HEC) for Afghan students pursuing higher education in different universities of Pakistan.<br></p><p>The President said, "You are the elite and privileged ones. You have been given the opportunity to study in Pakistan. Go back to your country with better education and skills, as it is your responsibility to rebuild your country." <br></p><p>Dr. Alvi said that Afghanistan has gone through a lot of miseries, however the Afghan nation has proved that nobody can subjugate them. He underlined that Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy strong brotherly relations and the two countries have always stood by each other. "Nobody can defeat the friendly bonds between the two countries," he affirmed. <br></p><p>The President regretted that the two countries have, unfortunately, suffered at the hands of poverty, rivalries, extremism and terrorism. "Let's act together against these common enemies. Afghanistan deserves peace and a huge rebuilding process awaits you. Pakistan will always be there to support you."<br></p><p>Appreciating HEC for organising the Pak-Afghan cultural event, he said cultural events provide opportunities of cultural exchanges which improve communication among nations. On the occasion, the President launched the logo of Allama Iqbal Scholarship for Afghan Students, an initiative of the Government of Pakistan.<br></p><p>In his welcome address, Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC stated that the Allama Iqbal Scholarship for Afghan Students not only provide opportunity to Afghan youth to study in top Pakistani universities, but it is also a means to promote diversity on campuses. Education is incomplete without exposure of students to diverse cultures, he said, adding that the programme also helps building people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan share religious as well as cultural roots and the Pak-Afghan cultural event reflects commonness of the two societies. <br></p><p>Mr. Rahimullah Qatra, Charge' d' Affaires, Embassy of Afghanistan in Pakistan said, "We are grateful to the Government of Pakistan and HEC for awarding scholarships to Afghan students, as the programme encourages Afghan students study in Pakistan and become ambassadors of Pakistan in Afghanistan." He said Afghanistan, being proud of its cordial relations with Pakistan, is committed to expanding these bonds. He said Afghanistan acknowledges and thanks Pakistan for accommodating its refugees.<br></p><p>Mr. Zahid Nasrullah Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan underscored that Pakistan accords high priority to deepen people-to-people contacts between the two nations. He said the Government of Pakistan approved 100 scholarships for Afghan students on the recommendation of Pakistan Embassy in Afghanistan and 17 per cent of them are specified for female students, keeping in view the low literary rate among Afghan women. As the Afghan youth are the wealth and dividend of Afghanistan, so investing on them through Allama Iqbal Scholarships is a great contribution to human capital development for the country, he concluded.<br></p><p>The Government of Pakistan has initiated different programmes under the "Committee for Reconstruction & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan (CRRA)". The Allama Iqbal Scholarship for Afghan Students, a 3000-scholarship programme, is one of them meant for Afghan students to pursue undergraduate studies in Pakistani universities. The project envisages strengthening of bilateral relationships, and development of human resource and professional linkages between the two brotherly states. Currently, around 2000 Afghan students are acquiring education in Pakistani higher learning institutions. <br></p><p>Apart from providing hostels, security, food and pick and drop facilities, a zero semester has also been arranged at Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar; University of Haripur; COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad Campus; and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore Campus. These students will be enrolled in public and private sector universities in different fields of study including Medical Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences.<br></p><p>The Pak-Afghan cultural event was also attended by a delegation from Afghanistan along with around 1000 Afghan students. Renowned Pakistani artistes including Tina Sani, Bakhtiyar Khattak, Gul Panra, and Laila Khan enthralled the audience on the occasion. <br></p><p>===============<br></p><p><br></p> | 29-04-2019 16:09:58 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Payam-e-Subh.aspx |
| 23rd Vice Chancellors’ Committee Meeting | 23rd Vice Chancellors’ Committee Meeting | <p style="text-align:justify;"><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-3">University Heads Seek Government's Support to Avoid Financial Crisis</strong></p><a href="/english/news/news/Documents/Declaration-VCs-Committee.pdf"></a><ul style="text-align:justify;"><a href="/english/news/news/Documents/Declaration-VCs-Committee.pdf"></a><li><a href="/english/news/news/Documents/Declaration-VCs-Committee.pdf"></a><a href="/english/news/news/Documents/Declaration-VCs-Committee.pdf"><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-2">Click here to download Declaration of the Vice Chancellors Committee</strong></p></a></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, April 22, 2019: Despite an overall 10 per cent cut in the budgets of government entities, the Vice Chancellors and Rectors of universities have expressed trust in the Government to protect the higher education sector's budget. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">In the 23<sup>rd</sup> Vice Chancellors' Committee Meeting chaired by Dr. Masoom Yasinzai and attended by 137 Vice Chancellors and Rectors here on Monday, the university heads appreciated the Government's commitment to higher education, while seeking Government's further support to meet the rising financial requirements of the universities. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The meeting was also attended by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Muhammad Asghar, Executive Director HEC.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The meeting discussed that HEC undertook an extensive budgetary assessment exercise jointly with the Ministry of Finance, according to which the estimated requirement of the higher education sector for FY 2019-20 is Rs. 103.550 billion. However, the higher education sector, as per Indicative Budgetary Ceilings (IBCs), has been allocated a recurring grant of only Rs. 58.50 billion for FY 2019-20.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Acknowledging the Government's support for higher education and research, the Vice Chancellors hoped that it will translate into significant release of funds. They also resolved to mobilise various non-government and non-tuition fee fundraising means and ensure initiatives aimed at efficient use of resources.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The meeting discussed in detail various agenda items including higher education sector's funding and emerging challenges, four-year integrated undergraduate programme, relevance in digital age, and HEC policies and regulations. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Addressing the Vice Chancellors, Dr. Tariq Banuri highlighted the issues and challenges pertaining to financial crisis facing the higher education sector. He informed the meeting that President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood have assured him of their support to the higher education sector. "The sector has a strong and unambiguous support from the current government," he asserted.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">While Government funding is the integral component, the Chairman pointed out that the financial crunch can be addressed through three complementary components which are government support, non-government fundraising, and efficient use of resources. "We are also committed to undertaking complementary activities, namely fundraising and service efficiency." <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Proposing measures regarding fundraising, he said the sector needs to mobilise alumni to generate funds, seek philanthropists' support, urge bilateral donations, non-tuition fee means like executive trainings, encourage and formalise consultancies, attract fee-paying foreign students, strengthen public-private partnership, streamline patents and royalties, and promote sports.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Referring to efficient use of resources, he said the operational expenditures need to be controlled while rationalising faculty to student and faculty to staff ratios, controlling non-salary expenses, and targeting of funds towards most important areas. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">In his opening remarks, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai said the higher education sector is passing through a tough time as far as its financial requirements are concerned. He acknowledged that the government is facing economic hardships which has created this situation, however the sector will come out of these constraints with the government's support. "The universities must play their role in fundraising and look for new avenues to generate funds, he stressed. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">He appreciated Dr. Tariq Banuri for bringing much-needed reforms into the higher education sector. He assured that universities stand by HEC in its pursuit for excellence in the higher education sector. "We all are a family and have to work together for the uplift of this sector," he stated.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">On the occasion, Dr. Zulfiqar Gilani, Consultant Academics HEC briefed the Vice Chancellors on HEC's plan with regard to four-year integrated undergraduate programme. He said HEC is exploring possibilities of developing the programme in order to inculcate in students the abilities of critical thinking, evidence-based observation and research, and lifelong learning. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">"As in the rest of the world, the undergraduate degree should be a terminal degree for most students, who on graduation should have adequate knowledge and skills for employment or other gainful work. Also, graduates interested in further education, like Masters or MPhil or Doctoral studies, should have sufficient knowledge and adequate grounding in research."<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Mr. Asif Shahid Khan, Consultant IT, HEC highlighted HEC's efforts to assist universities in staying relevant in the digital age. He said HEC is expanding the scope of Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN), while building an educational cloud to give faculty and students access to infrastructure need for research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, etc. He said that HEC is providing a cloud-based MOOC platforms, ERP and LMS. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Shedding light on HEC's regulatory reform project, Dr. Daud Munir, Legal Consultant HEC said the initiative is aimed at making HEC's regulations and guidelines structured in a way that they could create a highly enabling regulatory environment for new and existing higher education institutions. "Well-formulated regulatory frameworks can actually create greater autonomy rather than constraining environment." <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">He said that HEC is working on additional tiers to improve quality of higher education. "It is creating effective reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to facilitate better implementation and compliance of the regulations."<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The meeting elected Dr. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University as new Chairman of the Vice Chancellors' Committee. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Committee also prayed for the departed souls of Dr. Tariq Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Dr. Abbas Chaudhary, Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan, Dr. Tahir Amin, former Vice Chancellor, Bahauddin Zakariyya University, Multan and Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad, Rector, University of Management and Technology, and paid tribute to them for their services to the higher education sector.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============<br></p> | 23-04-2019 14:44:08 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/23rd-Vice-Chancellors-Meeting.aspx |