KP to establish Higher Education Academy of Research & Training

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is going to establish Higher Education Academy of Research and Training for imparting training to the academic and managerial staff of the Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Department.
The purpose of the establishment of such academy is to develop the capacity, professional competence, research and ethical standards of the academic and managerial staff for efficient dispensation of knowledge and skills related matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
For the establishment of such academy, the provincial assembly has already Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Academy of Research and Training Bill, 2016, which after becoming Act will be extended to the whole province at once.
After the enactment of the law, the provincial government will establish a corporate body called the KP Higher Education Academy of Research and Training with head office in Peshawar while regional offices and campuses at such places as the Board of Governors (BoG) of the academy may deemed fit.
The aims and objectives of the Academy shall be to provide pre-service and in-service trainings to the academic and managerial staff of the department and personnel of the bodies and institutions, which are directly or indirectly related to the higher education; conduct examination; award certificates and other distinctions: hold conferences, seminars, lectures, workshops and symposia in matters relating to public policy on and the delivery of quality services in the fields of higher education, teachers' education, training and research; initiate, promote and encourage research projects, publication of books, research journals, research papers and reports on important topics relating to policy, education, training and research.
It will also establish liaison with research institutions, universities and other bodies of national and international repute in the field of higher education for the promotion of teachers' education, training and research; inculcate and promote professional and ethical values and standards of academic and managerial staff and other personnel connected with the department; formulate and prescribe courses of studies, research and training; determine teaching methods and instructional strategies as well as co-curricular activities in order to ensure the most effective educational, training and other related programs; undertake consultancy and advisory services; serve as research institute for government on matters related to public policy on education and to advice the concerned authorities on matters as are referred to it.
The administration, management and general control of the academy and its affairs will vest in the Board of Governors. The board will consist of Chairperson (Minister for Higher Education); Vice Chairperson (Secretary Higher Education) while members will be included Secretary Finance; Director Higher Education, Director, Commerce Education & Management Sciences; Director Institute of Education & Research, University of Peshawar; Regional Director, Higher Education Commission, Peshawar; Director, Provincial Institute of Teachers Education, Peshawar; Principals from government colleges (Male & Female); an eminent educationist while Director of the Academy will perform as Member-cum- Secretary.
The Board of Governor will lay down the policy and programs for training and research; initiate, modify, adopt the curriculum, courses, contents, modules, clinics for orientation and training; organise and casrryout the activities and performance of the academy; consider and approve the annual budget and revised budget estimate of the academy; manage financial affairs; cause proper books of account to be maintained for all sums of money received and expenditure incurred by the Academy and arrange for audit of accounts; specify qualifications, conditions of services and matters relating to the members and staff; create, abolish, suspend and upgrade posts and make appointments thereon; make arrangements of hostel facilities and provision of food for residential trainings; purchase, hire, construct or alter any building for the use of the academy.
Similarly, the Board of Governors will also affiliate, the academy with other academies, institutions and centres of higher studies of federal government, foreign governments and any other organisation in the relevant field etc; declare any training or education institution, administered and funded by government, as a constituent unit; appoint advisors, consultants and experts and specify their terms and conditions; appoint or hire permanent or visiting faculty members and specify their terms and conditions; prescribe the method or procedure of conducting examination; prescribe the procedure for awarding certificates and distinctions by the academy; and perform such other functions as may be necessary for carrying out the purpose of the Act.
The Director of the Academy shall be posted by the provincial government from amongst the officers in BPS-20 and above for a period of three years to manage the affairs of the academy under the general directions of the board; be the academic and administrative head and shall be responsible for its administration, maintenance, order and discipline; executive policy, set out by the board; and perform any function as may be prescribed or assigned by the provincial government.