ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has directed 13 colleges to deposit affiliation or renewal fees to Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in relation to four-year bachelors and two-year associate degree programmes under the semester system.

FDE’s letter was addressed to all 13 colleges offering bachelors and two-year associate degree programmes, for sanction of an amount of Rs380,000 plus arrears (if any) out of their student fund in the name of QAU for payment of affiliation or renewal fees.

For the first time this year, FDE-run colleges have also started two-year associate degree programmes and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to phase out two-year BA and BSc programmes.

The current semester in colleges started in October and according to FDE officials, the response of students was good. However, they said QAU offers only 50 seats per programme per college and in some colleges, students face difficulties getting enrolled in the programme of their priority subject.

An FDE official who asked to remain anonymous said in the future, the directorate will try to convince QAU to enhance seats.

The official clarified however that no fee was increased, rather QAU is getting fees in accordance with the fees fixed in 2013.

A principal on condition of anonymity said there should be some fee relaxation for colleges that are offering only associate degrees.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2019