The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has rejected the recognition of degrees of those universities, which have failed to meet the laid down criteria. The decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Commission held with Federal Minister and Chairman HEC, Prof, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, in the chair on Wednesday.
The meeting discussed issues relating to governance, quality assurance, academics and administrative matters.
The meeting decided that the universities having inadequate teaching facilities would not be recognised by the HEC.
It has been decided that the Higher Education Commission would recognise the Ph.D degrees of those universities only, which would strictly follow the minimum criteria, laid down by the HEC.
The HEC would not recognise any Ph.D degree awarded under a sub-standard programme. The criteria has been laid down by the Quality Assurance Committee, set-up under the auspices of the HEC.
The Commission decided that governance issues are to be taken seriously. The development and recurring grants released to the universities will be linked to their observance of governance rules laid down by the HEC, including appointment and promotion of faculty, adoption of Ph.D programme, Tenure Track System and quality assurance.
The Private sector universities working on non- profit basis may also be allowed to benefit from the HEC programmes, including research fellowship, competitive research grants, access to Digital Library and access to PERN, the meeting decided.
They will also benefit from the foreign faculty-hiring programme of the HEC but on matching grants basis.
The precise modalities of support to private sector universities are being worked out in consultation with the Planning and Finance Division.
The HEC Chairman in his opening remarks briefed the members about the recent initiatives of the HEC emphasising quality assurance particularly in the indigenous Ph.D programmes.
He informed the Commission that some universities were grossly violating the quality criteria laid down for indigenous Ph.D. programmes, which may lead to deterioration of standards.
The Commission advised the Chairman to take all necessary actions to ensure the quality of Ph.D.
The Commission also expressed satisfaction over the progress in adoption of Tenure Track System by Universities. They appreciated that 550 scholars had joined various universities under the Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme.
The meeting was attended by Dr Akram Sheikh, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Shujaat Hussain, Rector, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, Muhammad Akram Khan, vice chancellor, University of Engineering and Technology.