The government on Tuesday formed another committee to look into the issue of fake degrees, posing great threat to future of students, who would form nation building policies in future. Federal Minister and Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman set up the committee to be headed by former Justice Salim Akhtar. Facing problems in running the affairs of higher education on a Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) has already been set up under the auspices of Higher Education Commission.
According to a statement, the newly formed committee would work in liaison with the QAC to probe the authenticity of cases received. Former Justice Salim Akhtar has also accepted the responsibility to head the commission. The committee will look into the issue of fake degree in totality to determine the magnitude of the problem and form a strategy/policy to tackle this issue of great national importance.
It would be ensured that the degrees awarded by various universities were not fake ie, against the rules of the institutions. The committee will also probe specific cases on receipt of complaints. It can also take suo-moto action if an irregularity comes to its notice.
The QAC is currently headed by Professor Dr Abdul Rauf, former Rector of GIK Institute and a distinguished professor who is currently Rector of Institute of Management and Technology of Higher Education Commission.
Other members include Vice Chancellors of various public and private sector universities as well as the Executive Director, HEC and Advisor Quality Assurance and Learning Innovation, HEC.
The QAC has already developed a comprehensive framework for award of M.Phil and Ph.D degrees that will be applicable to all degrees to be awarded in the future. Presently universities have their own rules/policies in this regard.
Presently the accreditation and attestation cell of HEC provides attestation and equivalence services on receipt of request from the degree holder or from a department. Diplomas/Transcripts awarded by the chartered universities/institutions, both in public and private sectors of the country are attested by HEC.
HEC also issues equivalence certificates to determine the equivalence of degrees/diplomas issued by accredited/chartered universities/ institutions. The determination of equivalence of credentials at secondary and higher secondary level is primarily the responsibility of the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen Higher Education Commission.
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