ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and vice chancellors of provincial chartered universities have demanded that the provincial governments significantly increase funding for universities.

They raised this demand during the first day of the two-day vice chancellors (VCs) committee meeting held here to “synergise for consolidation of key higher education policies and standards for the development of the higher education sector.”

According to HEC, the meeting is being attended by around 170 heads of public and private sector universities.

VCs requested the provincial government provide funding to universities, besides urging the federal government to continue funding them as well.

Appreciating the Sindh Government for contributing over Rs 26 billion to the universities operations in Sindh, Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said the provincial governments must significantly contribute to the higher education sector.

He termed the development of the education and health sectors a prerequisite for Pakistan’s uplift.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed also urged the universities to launch only quality degree programmes that were relevant to national needs.

He made it clear that HEC will shut down all the degree programmes, including BS, MS, and PhD programmes, that do not meet the quality criteria.

The HEC chief stated that HEC will not grant a one-time exemption for attestation of degrees issued in violation of its policies.

He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts by all the stakeholders for the development of the higher education sector, appreciated the role of university heads in the sector’s uplift, and termed the universities as beacons of hope for society.

According to a press release, Dr Ahmed reiterated HEC’s commitment to autonomy for universities and urged the universities to “exert the powers, provided that they are in line with HEC policies and parameters.”

The Chairman spoke in detail on the prevailing challenges facing the higher education sector, including financial hardships, quality of degree programmes, governance at higher education institutions, relevance of research and development, authentic data collection, affiliation of degree awarding institutions, transnational education (TNE), graduate skill development, and training of youth alongside the provision of education.

Regarding the HEC Affiliation Policy, he emphasised that universities must implement the revised Affiliation Policy 2024 to ensure the quality of higher education “before it is too late.”

He said HEC is making efforts for the internationalisation of universities through a one-widow operation by bringing foreign students to Pakistan.

The Chairman also noted that the growing number of social media blasphemy cases is a matter of grave concern, adding that university heads, faculty, and parents have a great responsibility to inculcate respect in youth for all religions, sacred personalities, and associated literature to stop sacrilegious activities on social media.

Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum underlined the importance of continuous improvement in quality standards, relevance, and quality of graduates.

He underscored that consolidation of HEC policies and standards is a must for a strong higher education sector. ED further stated that HEC aims to formulate policies and strategies with evidence-based decisions based on data received from universities.

Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum affirmed that HEC fully trusts the academic leaders in terms of the execution of policies. He also elaborated on the measures to improve HEC operations, keeping in view that the sector has expanded with 262 universities operating in the country.

The Chair of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, said the VCs stand by HEC for the revival of the HEC Ordinance and resolution of the critical challenges, such as the financial crisis in universities, human resource management in universities, including the appointment of faculty on the Basic Pay Scale and Tenure Track System, the search committee for the appointment of Vice Chancellors, University Acts; affiliation of degree-awarding institutions, online education, internationalisation of universities, quality of PhDs, and formulation of student representation platforms.

Expressing their views, the VCs of different public and private sector universities demanded of the provincial governments that they make significant financial contributions to the operations of universities in their respective provinces, urging the Federal Government to continue supporting the provincial universities as well.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2024