The decision of devolution of Higher Education Commission (HEC) is one of the worst decisions of government and will destroy the structure of higher education in the country, Professor Dr M Umer Farooq Pro Vice-Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences said, here on Thursday.
Today, lower education has bifurcated into different boards and provincial level, affecting standard of education in Pakistan. Higher education has maintained a level not only in Pakistan but even being recognised in abroad and all of this is because of HEC's standard-maintaining tasks, he said.
No other officer was available at HEC zonal office to give his views on the matter. Meanwhile, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman would conduct a press conference on the devolution of HEC today (Friday) and explain a strategy to save the Commission. It is pertinent to mention here that HEC, formerly University Grant Commission is the primary regulator of higher education in Pakistan.
It also facilitates development of higher educational system in Pakistan. Its main purpose is to upgrade varsities of Pakistan to be centres of education, research and development. The HEC is also playing a leading role towards building a knowledge-based economy in Pakistan by giving out hundreds of doctoral scholarships for education abroad every year.
If HEC is devolved to the provinces, every province should have its own standard and one would not recognise degrees of other provinces. Also, doctor of one province might not able to perform duties in other provinces. The students applying for postgraduate studies in abroad would also face trouble and their admission pleas might be rejected.