ISLAMABAD, Oct 01 (APP):The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has taken notice of violation of its Undergraduate Education Policy by certain Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering Associate Degree Programs (ADPs) through annual system and private-candidate mode.
According to official sources, it has come to the notice of HEC that after phasing out the conventional BA/BSc programs, certain HEIs have continued to offer ADPs through the annual system and private-candidate mode.
In certain cases, it appears that the title of the erstwhile BA/BSc programs has merely been changed to ADP without aligning the program structure and mode of delivery with the applicable HEC Undergraduate Education Policy.
The Commission observed that the matter is of serious regulatory concern, as such practices may create difficulties for graduates in degree attestation, equivalence, further education and employment.
In exercise of its statutory mandate to regulate higher education standards, HEC is sensitizing all HEIs to ensure strict compliance with the applicable policy requirements.
The HEC has directed all HEIs to furnish a program-wise and session-wise consolidated summary of students enrolled in such ADPs, including program title, mode of study, session/year of enrollment, number of students enrolled and graduates, duly verified by Registrars, Controllers of Examinations and countersigned by Vice Chancellors and Heads of HEIs.
The information is required for regulatory assessment and appropriate handling of students already enrolled or graduated and shall not be construed as continuation of such mode of ADPs.
It has further been stated that no new admissions shall be made in ADPs offered through the annual and private-candidate mode henceforth.
Any HEI found making such admissions or continuing such offerings in violation of HEC policy shall be liable to strict regulatory action by HEC under applicable laws, policies and regulatory framework.
All HEIs have been advised to ensure that their admission advertisements, prospectuses and academic offerings are fully aligned with the applicable HEC Undergraduate Education Policy in the larger academic interest of students.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
