THE Higher Education Commission has been framing and endorsing rules without logic. It has an age limit of 35 years for indigenous, as well as for foreign, MS/PhD scholarships.

What benefits can be derived by imposing such restriction? Is the HEC targeting maximum benefits to the younger slot of society? Or is it putting a halt on those who are desirous of improving qualification but have crossed the age of 35.

This is not justifiable. Scores of people are being deprived of higher qualifications because of this policy. The HEC is perhaps oblivious of the famous slogan ‘Education for all’, which means there be no gender, racial or age biases in the way of education. Article 25-A of the Constitution guarantees free and compulsory education.

If we consider the Fulbright scholarship, which is one of the distinguished scholarships being offered to Pakistanis each year, it is offered without age limit.

The HEC must act wisely by abandoning the age restriction for indigenous, as well as for foreign, MS/PhD scholarships, and bring it on a par with Fulbright scholarship, free from all biases.

Muhammad Ayaz Khan

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

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