THIS refers to your editorial ‘HEC autonomy’ (June 15), the Higher Education Commission would like to dispel any doubts about the lack of transparency in the award of scholarships.

In fact, transparency in the selection/award process of scholarships is one area in which the Higher Education Commission can genuinely take pride. So far, over 10,000 scholarships in more than 20 different programmes have been awarded, and not a single complaint onaccount of lack of transparency has been received or proved.

Transparency is ensured through an advertisement in the national newspapers and the HEC website. A complete process for awarding a scholarship is documented in a 267-page HRD operational manual.

The merit at each level for shortlisting is determined by the NTS score/scores in previous examinations (matriculation, FSc, BSc, etc).

In addition, the final selection of candidates for foreign scholarships is done by panels of professors of foreign countries from the shortlisted candidates without the involvement of the HEC. The HEC will keep on striving for achieving greater heights.

MUHAMMAD MURTAZA NOORManager Media/Public RelationsHigher Education CommissionIslamabad

Merit

THE federal government’s decision of giving control of the Higher Education Commission to the ministry of professional technology and training seems an attempt to influence the decision of the HEC politically.

The decision is clear violation of the Constitution by those who claims to have preserved it. After the passage of the 18th Amendment, the HEC is the subject of the provinces. But they are reasoned by some powerful elements of federal level that provinces are not capable enoughto handle the affairs of the HEC. If this is the case then why has it been included in the 18th Amendment? If the government wants to make its decision of merging the HEC in aforementioned ministry, it should bring an amendment bill in the parliament that is considered supreme institution of the state.

But here it is suggested to the government instead of giving control of the HEC to any federal ministry it should be given autonomous status so that transparency and merit could be encouraged.

M. JAVED MAJEEDANOTando Allahyar