ISLAMABAD, May 6: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French Society for Export of Educational Resources, 'Societe Francaise d' Exportation des Resources Educatives' (SFERE) for provision of doctoral studies in France.

The MoU desires for striving to foster cooperation between the two institutions and to streamline the procedure and other related matters concerning the fellowship programme for higher studies of Pakistani university teachers in the French universities.

Director of Programme SFERE France Georges Pierron and Dr S. Sohail H. Naqvi, member HRD&SP, HEC Pakistan signed the MoU here on Thursday, said an official statement. The main objective of the programme is to send 20 selected teachers every year to do a PhD degree in France in their respective field of study.

The number of scholars to be sent to France may be increased on mutual agreement. Under the memorandum, the SFERE would help HEC's selected candidates how to mobilize full technical, material and human resources of the higher education sector.

The MoU further states that French language courses will be organized in collaboration with the French embassy and during the preliminary stage, SFERE will regularly inform the HEC of the results of the requests of placement in French universities.

During the studies, SFERE will send two annual reports to HEC outlining the progress of the candidates towards completion of their studies. It said the scholarships had been designed to pursue the doctorate programme and did not include any regular position at the French University or department.