| 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 |