ISLAMABAD, June 27: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will introduce IT education in all public sector universities, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan.

The survey envisaged that access to higher education shall be expanded to at least five per cent of the age group 17-23 by the year 2010. It put focus on merit, which it said, shall be the criterion for entry into higher group. Access to higher education shall be based on entrance tests. Reputed degree colleges shall be given autonomy and degree-awarding status.

It further said split PhD programmes shall be launched in collaboration with reputed foreign universities, and at a minimum, 100 scholars shall be annually trained under the arrangement.

It said all quota/reserve seats shall be eliminated. Students from backward areas, who clear entry tests, would compete amongst themselves.

The commission will give priority to investment in areas of institutional capacity-building to strengthen administration and management capacity at national, provincial and university levels and upgrading of professional and academic skills of faculty relevant to teaching and learning.