ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday expressed concerns over the mushroom growth of business-oriented higher institutions of learning in the country.

The National Assembly standing committee on federal education and professional training met at Parliament House with MNA Dr Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti in the chair.

The meeting was held to discuss the one-point agenda of the Capital University of Science and Technology Bill 2015.

However, the debate got diverted towards the overwhelming growth of private educational institutions.

All the committee members were of the view that a majority of the private educational institutions were operating in small buildings, which was a violation of the university charter.

Committee members ask HEC to take action against varsities operating in small buildings

The committee asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to take strict action against such institutions and if it faced any problem, the committee could play its role in making new laws empowering it to take stringent action the universities/institutions.

“It seems the HEC doesn’t have control on the universities. The commission should impose fines on all such institutions which are not following its directions,” said MNA Zulfiqar.

“I myself know a few universities in Sargodha which started running in small buildings. Many institutions that are set up on a few marlas are offering MPhil degrees as well,” he said.

“What are we producing? Even we have failed to manufacture mobile phones. We need to improve the quality of education,” he said.

MNA Musarat Rafique said there should be a clear-cut policy about the universities. “I’m also familiar with a few degree-awarding institutions which are operating in small buildings,” she said.

MNA Amra Khan and Shahida Rehmani also expressed concerns over the degree-awarding institutions which are functioning in small buildings.

HEC’s executive director Mansoor Kundi admitted that the role of the commission was limited in taking action against such institutions.

While discussing the Capital University of Science and Technology Bill, which is already operating under the name of Mohammad Ali Jinnah University in Islamabad, the chair decided to hold another meeting.

It was also decided that before the next meeting, the committee members would visit the university.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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