KARACHI, Feb 12: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, has urged the University of Karachi to introduce four- year (Honours) Bachelor's Degree Programme.

According to a campus source, the HEC member for Human Resource Department and Strategic Development, in a letter on Jan 27, had pointed out to the university authorities that during the past few years numerous public sector varsities had initiated four-year (Honours) Bachelor's Degree Programme in various disciplines, which was very positive development.

At present, the university is running three-year honours programme at about 40 science and arts departments. While the four-year programme is effective only at a few departments.

It was learnt that any decision on HEC's latest proposal would be reached only after discussion at the academic council of the university. The meeting of the academic council, scheduled for Feb 19, would be chaired by KU vice-chancellor.

The academic council will also consider, among other items on agenda, a four-year syllabi of BE Chemical Engineering comprising eight semesters of a total 150 credit hours, and four-year BS Agriculture requiring 144 credit hours.

Justifying his point of view, the HEC member said that the four-year programme allowed varsities to access the best talent at the initial stages and provide students the opportunity to have a well-rounded education with expertise in their discipline of choice.

At present, a three-year Honours programme spread over six regular semesters is in vogue for majority of disciplines taught on the campus. In another document sent to the university, the HEC highlighted the structure of a four-year (Honours) Bachelor's Degree Programme, within which the university may develop its own programme to fulfil the needs of students, faculty and industry, added the source.

According to the HEC document, the total credits required in a four-year programme for graduation would vary from 124 to 136. The typical year consists of two half semester, while the course load for each semester typically varies between 15-18 hours.

The term credit hour (CH) is used to provide students with a guide to the amount of work a course may entail; indicates a student's enrolment load; defines the requirements for an award of the university; quantifies its recognition of prior-learning; and indicates the amount of work a student has successfully completed towards an award of the university.

Under the proposed four-year under graduate programme in sciences, out of 124 credit hours, 27 CHs would be required in compulsory subjects, while another 12 in electives, 34 in General Science and 51-63 hours in major subject.