| Factual Situation regarding HEC’s Smart University Programme | Factual Situation regarding HEC’s Smart University Programme | <p>Islamabad, July 12, 2019: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has rejected the allegations contained in a news item entitled "HEC project to equip varsities with WiFi yet to be completed", as being based on false and misleading information. <br></p><p>The HEC Smart University project is proceeding well ahead of its schedule and within its approved budget. It is one of the fastest executed programmes in the Asia Pacific region. Any allegation to the contrary is completely false and without foundation. The project was approved in 2015, at a total cost of Rs. 2.4 billion. There is no change in the contract cost since then. Work on the project started in 2016, and is scheduled to be completed in eight years, i.e. 2024. The allocation is to be spent in eight years, and not in the first two or three years of the project. However, the main deployment of the equipment (Phase-I of the project) will be completed in 2019. It is fully on schedule and all targets will be met. <br></p><p>The aim of the project is to equip university campuses with blanket WiFi coverage, in order to enable the deployment of other smart instruments as needed. The project has provided a suite of important services to thousands of students and faculty members across the country. This includes blanket wifi coverage, student authentication, guest WiFi portals for visitors, and eduroam (a secure, world-wide roaming access service available in thousands of locations across over 100 countries worldwide).<br></p><p>Due to the overwhelming positive response from universities, the scope of coverage was expanded to include hostels as well. This was done before the launch of Phase-I, and with the consent of all stakeholders including a high level steering committee comprised of Vice Chancellors, senior government officials, and higher management of HEC. <br></p><p>So far, a total of 63 universities have been facilitated with blanket Wi-Fi connectivity. This has been done with the fulfillment of all legal, codal, and procedural formalities for contracts and payments. HEC has strict rules regarding compliance with legal provisions. No payments can be made without proper pre-audit. Any delays in the execution result in the imposition of financial penalties on the providers as per contract. The contractors are required to obtain acceptance certificates from universities on completion of installation. <br></p><p>The allegations contained in the news are baseless and display no understanding of the quality or operation of the project.<br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 15-07-2019 11:13:00 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/HEC-Smart-University.aspx |
| HEC, PIEAS Award Participants of Int'l Science Olympiads 2018 | HEC, PIEAS Award Participants of Int'l Science Olympiads 2018 | <p>Islamabad, June 27, 2019: The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Careers Programme, a joint venture of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), held an award distribution ceremony to honour 12 talented Pakistani students who represented Pakistan in International Science Olympiads in July 2018.<br></p><p>Pakistani students won one Bronze Medal, three Honourable Mentions, and one Merit Certificate in International Chemistry Olympiads, International Mathematics Olympiads, and International Biology Olympiads held in Romania, Iran and Czech and Slovak Republic respectively. Cash prizes and certificates were distributed among the students. <br></p><p>So far, Pakistani teams have won 109 medals including four Silver Medals, 57 Bronze Medals, 45 Honourable Mentions and one Merit Certificate along with two special prizes in the annual International Science Olympiads held in different countries across the world, i.e., Switzerland, Brazil, Singapore, USA, Germany, UK, Spain, Canada, Argentina, and South Korea etc. <br></p><p>The award distribution ceremony was graced by Dr. Qasim Jan, President Pakistan Academy of Sciences as chief guest. Dr. Nasir Majeed Mirza, Rector PIEAS and a large number of students were present on the occasion.<br></p><p>Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Jan appreciated the students for their aptitude and hard work. "As President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, I congratulate you all who represented Pakistan, especially those who have won medals in the international competition, on behalf of all the scientists of Pakistan." <br></p><p>Highlighting the significance of STEM subjects, he said STEM education is intended to enhance competencies of students and enable them to get opportunities of acquiring up-to-date knowledge. He said that resource-based economies have turned into knowledge-based economies owing to development and progress in science and technology. He stressed the need for meeting the true objectives of promoting STEM in the country.<br></p><p>Earlier, Dr. Mirza shed light on the background and importance of STEM Careers Programme. He said the participation of Pakistani students in competitions like International Science Olympiads not only enhances their capabilities and confidence, but also adds value to the efforts for promotion of STEM education in the country. <br></p><p>Every year a nationwide screening test is conducted through National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) in the major cities of Pakistan for the selection of students of Matric (9th, 10th and 1st year) and O-Level/ A-Level-I. Out of more than 6000 students, top 50 students in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics are shortlisted for the first training camp, which continues up to four camps of a one-week duration in different phases. <br></p><p>In the concluding camp, top four-to-six students from each subject are given extensive training for their possible participation in International Science Olympiads held every year in different countries across world. The STEM home institutions for training camps are: COMSATS University, Lahore for Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS) Islamabad, for Physics, HEJ Research Institute, University of Karachi for Chemistry and National Institute of Bio-Technology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) Faisalabad for Biology. <br></p><p>The annual International Olympiads provide pre-university science students of the world with an opportunity to compete in solving challenging theoretical and experimental science problems that only the most talented youth of their age can answer. <br></p><p>The students who participated in the International Science Olympiads included Muhammad Suleman, Karachi Grammer School; Gohar Saqib Fazal, Beacon House School System, PECHS, Karachi; Omar Muhammad Kidwani, Karachi Grammar School; Muhammad Arshad Alam, BVS Parsi High School, Karachi; Haroon Khan, Pakistan International School, Jeddah; Sualeh Asif, Headstart School System, Karachi; Hesham Mohammad Nawaz, Aitchison College, Lahore; Abdul Rehman Zahid, Siddeeq Public Schoo, Islamabad; Muhammad Abdullah, Nishat College of Science, Multan, Ahmed Salik, Karachi Grammar School; Saad Khan, Islamia College Peshawar; and Laiba Naseer, Hamza Army Public School and College, Rawalpindi.<br></p><p>===============<br></p> | 28-06-2019 10:28:25 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/PIEAS-Award.aspx |
| 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 |