| 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 |