Karachi: The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has recommended public universities across the country not to grant affiliation to new educational institutions.
HEC has issued a directive saying that the already established affiliated educational institutions across the country are not meeting the standards of higher education, so affiliation to new educational institutions should be avoided until the new policy is issued.
In a letter written by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Shaista Sohail, to the Vice Chancellors/Rectors of universities across the country, it has been stated that in the meeting of the Vice Chancellors held in Islamabad on February 3, it was agreed that Universities will refrain from giving more affiliations till the new policy comes.
The letter states that these institutions located in many parts of the country do not meet the required academic and physical standards including qualified faculty, equipment and space which are essential for any academic environment leading to degree awarding. Standards are compromised and students graduating from these institutions may face difficulties in verifying their credentials.
It should be noted that if the HEC delays the release of the new policy in this regard, the benefit will go to the educational institutions established in the private sector and the students will be forced to turn to private educational institutions with expensive fees.
It should be remembered that 90% of the educational institutions affiliated to the public universities in Sindh are public institutions which are under the provincial government and their administrative control is with the Sindh government, but the affiliation is with University of Karachi, University of Sindh and other universities. Despite the clear policy and direction of HEC, higher government educational institutions are giving affiliation to substandard colleges.
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