ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to launch a countrywide campaign against illegal campuses of institutions of higher learning.

Considering the ever-increasing number of dubious institutions of higher learning and growing complaints of parents, students and academia concerned about such institutions, the HEC has decided to take this action, said an official statement.

The HEC has taken serious notice of the unauthorized campuses opened by institutions of higher learning across the country, it said. In this context, the HEC chairman, Prof Dr Attaur Rahman, has written a letter to all vice-chancellors of public-sector universities, asking them to inform the HEC regarding unauthorized campuses operating in their province so that proper action could be taken in this regard.

Dr Ata asked the vice-chancellors to observe the existing rules if a new campus was to be established. Under these rules, the universities established under provincial charters can grant affiliation to any institution in other provinces. However, in doing so every institution will have to get permission/approval of the provincial government concerned and the public university in whose jurisdiction the institution was being affiliated.

The Acts of the Provincial Assemblies do not give the power of affiliation to professional colleges and other institutions beyond the territorial limits of the provinces, the statement said.

The HEC has taken this step on the demand of students, parents and the general public, including educationists, who are always keen about the legal status of these institutions, it added.

The setting up of private-sector institutions of higher learning started in the early 90s. And, within the last few years, their number has increased significantly.