ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to form a joint committee to find a solution to concerns raised by religious scholars about seminary degree equivalence.

Religious scholars on Tuesday discussed implications of the closure of the two year bachelors and masters programmes on seminary graduates.

The HEC currently treats the Shahadatul Alia fil Uloomal Arabia Wal Islamia and Shahadatul Almiya fil Uloomal Arabia Wal Islamia as equivalent to a BA and an MA, respectively.

However, the HEC has now discontinued the certification of BA and MA degrees, introducing a four-year BS and two-year associate degree instead.

According to the commission, a delegation comprising representatives of various seminary boards, led by Tanzeemul Madaris Ahle Sunnat President Mufti Muneebur Rehman, called on HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri. Other delegates included Maulana Haneef Jallandhry, Maulana Abdul Malik, Dr Attaur Rahman and Allama Afzal Haidri.

A statement said the HEC chairman agreed to set up a joint committee with seminaries’ representatives to assess how the equivalence system could be adapted to the changes.

The statement said the objective of the change was to ensure graduates from Pakistani universities possess three types of competencies - general education, subject specialisation and practical skills to participate in the economy. These competencies are just as relevant for seminary graduates as they are for university graduates.

It added that Mr Rehman praised the HEC for strengthening the graduate programme and making much needed changes. He said representatives of seminaries were fully supportive of the HEC’s central role in strengthening higher education.

He also said that he and his colleagues wish to make sure that recent changes in HEC policies do not adversely affect the future of seminary students.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2019