ISLAMABAD, March 20: Realizing the fact that public sector universities are facing financial deficits, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) would provide extra funds to the universities.

These funds will be provided to the universities in addition to their budget allocations for the year 2002-2003.

The extra funds to universities have been equally divided between providing general budgetary support and support of activities directly enhancing research.

Funds to universities have been allocated on the basis of student enrolment in arts and humanities, science and engineering areas.

Keeping in view a noted fact that the quality of faculty is key determinant of the quality of higher education, the Higher Education Commission is, therefore, focusing on creating programmes to increase the number of PhD degree holders at the universities of Pakistan.

The extra funds will not only be helpful in exploiting full potential of the various departments/ institutes/ centres of the universities by providing sufficient infrastructure for higher level teaching and research, but will also be beneficial in building academic and research capabilities of educational institutions to impart quality education and raise the standard of training and research in universities of Pakistan.