HEC in tug-of-war with provincial HECs

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is facing resistance from the provincial HECs in a tug-of-war over power.

A few months ago, the HEC had decided to launch an Education Testing Council’s free aptitude test for admissions into undergraduate programmes from fall 2017.

According to a letter addressed to all vice chancellors, the Sindh HEC has said the HEC put out advertisements in newspapers “inviting students to participate in pre-entry test” for admissions into Pakistani universities.

The letter says the HEC made the move without consulting with the Council of Common Interest (CCI) and the Sindh HEC and that it is therefore without jurisdiction and in “inconformity with the canons of justice and fair play”.

The letter instructs universities that the contents of HEC’s advertisement should not be implemented in the universities under the administrative control of the Sindh government. The HEC has, on the other hand, said the Sindh HEC’s act was illegal.

“That the Sindh HEC was not ready to adopt the free test service shows that there is no coordination among these bodies. The Punjab HEC is also not in favour of these tests. This is affecting the higher education sector in the country,” said an official of the education ministry.

He said there are also differences between the central and provincial bodies over funds and that these issues are arising due to the lacklustre approach of the CCI, which is yet to decide the HEC issue in light of the 18th amendment seven years on.

Before the HEC’s testing service, universities used the services of the National Testing Service, a private entity which charges students.

The HEC, on the other hand, is offering students free tests. When asked, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said the commission is going to respond to the Sindh HEC’s letter, which he said was against the rules.

“Our [advertisement] was in accordance with the laws and we do not know what the problem is with the Sindh HEC. We will elaborate all the facts in the letter we will send to the provincial HEC,” he said and denied that the testing service had not received an encouraging response.

“The test is not binding on universities but almost all universities will adopt it from next year. A large number of students have undertaken the test for the upcoming semester as well,” he said.

FUI celebrates 15th anniversary

Foundation University Islamabad’s (FUI) Islamabad campus hosted a funfair to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the university as well as of the HEC.

FUI Director retired Maj Gen Akhtar Waheed was the chief guest at the event which was attended by students from FUI and other universities. Students set up educational, games, art and food stalls as well.

The chief guest appreciated student’s efforts and said such activities play an important role in personality building.

He talked about the various achievements of the Foundation University and appreciated the HEC’s role in promoting higher education and research in the country.

FUIC Administrator retired Brig Gulrez Sultan Lodhi distributed prizes among students.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2017