The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) on Tuesday decided to recognise and attest only local degree and transcript awarded by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) under dual degree programme (DDP). In a press release issued here, the commission said that it will recognise and attest only local degree launched by COMSATS in collaboration with Lancaster University UK, and that too after completion of degree requirements and accreditation by the respective professional council.
In a meeting chaired by HEC chairman, it was decided that degrees of Lancaster University will not be recognised and equated by HEC owing to insufficiency of necessary academic requirements. About the recommendations of Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Public Accounts Committee, the commission authorised HEC to only recognise and attest local CIIT degree with CIIT transcript awarded to 2532 students enrolled under CIIT-LU dual degree programme.
The HEC expressed its deep concern over commencement of DDP by CIIT without completing academic and legal requirements including upfront approval of the Commission, and reiterated that no foreign programme in any manifestation should be launched by higher education institutions without formal approval of the Commission. It was further clarified that decisions taken and communicated earlier regarding CIIT-LU DDP stand withdrawn.-PR