ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has an 18-member body which is tasked to devise policies and take decisions on higher education and oversee work on key matters at the HEC. But for the last two years, the commission has been functioning with only 10 members.

Besides, the commission has held just one meeting in the last one year when the HEC Act demands holding of at least two meetings in a year.

“We have been opposing the idea of forming provincial HECs but have failed to put our own house in order,” said a senior HEC official, requesting anonymity.

Sources at the HEC said that no significant efforts were made to appoint the eight members. However, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed refuted these claims and said that the commission had completed work to make appointments as soon as possible.

According to sources, the commission completed the list of possible names for the vacancies in April 2013. However, the HEC did not forward these names to the prime minister’s office for approval. The reason, sources claimed, is that senior HEC officials do not wish to see an effective and powerful commission which would keep a check on their activities.

They further added that meetings were avoided to keep the issue of vacant positions of members under wraps.

In September 2014, the HEC finally forwarded a list of over 20 names to Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training to be sent to the prime minister for the selection of the required members.

The required strength of the commission is 18, but at present only 10 members on board

According to sources, the ministry raised objections on the list, saying that it was outdated as it was prepared over a year ago. The list was sent back to be updated and since then, it has remained with the HEC.

“The education ministry had raised some objections on the list and they returned it. Now, after making some changes, we will place this list at the upcoming meeting of the commission for final approval before finally sending it to the ministry,” said Dr Mukhtar Ahmed.

When asked about the HEC’s failure to convene two meetings in 2014, he said: “I agree, there should be at least two meetings in a year. Last year after taking charge as chairman I convened a meeting.”

He added that in future the HEC will ensure at least two meetings of the commission in a year.

“In the next few weeks, we are going to call a meeting of the commission to discuss some important issues such as National Testing Authority etc,” he said.

The last meeting of the commission was held on September 26, 2014, thanks to Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training which reprimanded the HEC for not holding a meeting since April 2013.

The Senate committee had reportedly termed the delay as a deliberate attempt by the HEC to take decision on its own.

The commission members running the HEC should consist of two federal secretaries, four representatives of the provinces, an executive director, one vice chancellor and 10 nominees of the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the HEC currently does not have a permanent executive director, who is supposed to work as secretary of the commission and principal accounting officer.

This seat has been vacant since April 2014 when then executive director Dr Mukhtar Ahmed was appointed the HEC chairman.

An HEC spokeswoman Ayesha Ikram said Dr Mansoor Kundi is serving as acting executive director and work is in process for the early appointment of a permanent executive director.

Published in Dawn February 3rd , 2015

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