ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has decided not to allow any new universities or sub-campuses in the country. The HEC said it will focus instead on ensuring that the existing universities are sustainable and improve in terms of quality.
According to the official notification sent to vice-chancellors, rectors, and directors of government universities and degree-awarding institutions, “No new sub-campuses shall be established at the tehsil level.”
It was found during the comprehensive review that the infrastructure and other facilities in most of the campuses at the tehsil level are not up to the mark. It was pointed out that there is a shortage of teachers who hold PhD degrees, and students’ enrolment is minimal at the tehsil-level campuses.
Moreover, some of the facilities at these campuses are not adequate; therefore, they are putting the image of Pakistan’s higher education sector into jeopardy. “Many of these campuses are neither viable from the academic standpoint nor structurally sound, and pose a threat to the quality of our education system,” a spokesperson of the HEC said.
Consequently, HEC is very clear in stating that any unapproved campus will neither be issued NOC nor accreditation, nor verification of degrees. All ongoing projects for tehsil-based campuses have been put on hold and universities have been directed to stop all projects, including admissions, recruitment, buying of land, and other constructions unless they get the approval of HEC.
Furthermore, HEC is now going to review all the applications that are still pending with the institution. Those campuses that will not get approval from the HEC will face a ban on issuing degrees which can lead to major issues for those students who are currently studying at those institutions.
HEC is holding the entire responsibility of university heads, including vice-chancellors and rectors, for not abiding by its rules and regulations.
