ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will expand its Ph.D scholarship programme and establish more universities across the country to promote higher education.

This was stated by Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Javed R Laghari at a briefing held Friday after concluding of the two-day ‘5th Vice Chancellors Committee Meeting.’

Presently, the commission extends Ph.D scholarships to 1,000 students in the country and abroad and the country produces 20 per cent Ph.D faculty which is not sufficient.

Some countries are producing more than 70 per cent of their Ph.Ds, the chairman said and assured that the existing strength would be doubled in the coming years.

The HEC chairman said that the Ph.D scholarship programme will be expanded and strengthened for the uplift of education standards in the country.

Around 128 degree awarding universities are operating across the country but still 5 per cent students enter in the universities due to the shortage of universities, departments and space.

More universities will be established across the country to accommodate those students who are compelled to resume their higher education at colleges, Javed Laghari said.

HEC will establish more linkages among the universities and involve the students of universities in community services.

Besides, transparency and accountability will be ensured in all procedures, he said.

HEC is spending 40 to 45 per cent funds on human resource management and the commission will further take steps for the promotion of higher studies in the country.

Upholding commitment to end gender disparities, HEC is establishing two women universities, one in Multan and other in Sukkur, he said.

The government commitment to raise the education budget from 2.4 to 7 per cent of GDP till the year 2015 is a very crucial step to improve the infrastructure, he observed.

Vice Chancellors of public and private universities who attended the conference pledged to enhance teaching quality and research.

The annual event provided an opportunity to the university heads to share their experiences and streamline the processes to synergise the working of entire higher education sector.

The VCs expressed solidarity in upholding the HEC’s mission to bring about socio-economic change and empower the country by providing world class graduates.

They resolved that the culture of transparency and merit will be further strengthened in the higher education sector, with a special focus on under-developed areas of the country.

They appreciated Chairman HEC’s commitment to expand the existing programmes of HEC, besides launching new initiatives.

They said that HEC would ensure that private institutions and affiliated colleges are also given special attention to streamline the entire higher education sector.—APP