2. Role of HEC
HEC is an independent, autonomous institution which
was established in 2002 through an amendment in the
constitution.
HEC is responsible for making higher education policy
and accrediting academic degrees.
It can develop new institutions as well as upgrade the
old ones.
HEC plays a leading role in building knowledge based
economy in Pakistan.
HEC is empowered to grant scholarships for higher
education and research both at home and abroad.
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3. Role of HEC
It is also authorized to upgrade colleges and universities. via
assessing the level of research and development and other
academic activities in the institutions.
It is the successor organization of University Grants
Commission (UGC).
Higher Education Commission (HEC) is continued to
improve access to quality higher education as a key element
of its strategy to bring higher education revolution in the
country.
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4. Main functions are funding, overseeing, regulating and
accrediting the higher education institutions.
First established in 1974 as University Grants
Commission (UGC)
Came into its modern form on 11 September 2002.
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5. Role of HEC
HEC is focused on creating the knowledge capital and
technology required to enable Pakistan to join the ranks of
the industrially advanced countries.
HEC has provided access to quality education to masses,
upgraded teaching and research labs, provided merit and
need based home-grown and foreign scholarships to the
talented youth and free access to scientific literature
through digital library.
The HEC tried to develop sustainable, dynamic and
internationally competitive higher education sector in
Pakistan that makes a major contribution to economic
prosperity, national wellbeing and the expansion and
dissemination of knowledge.
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6. Today many Pakistani universities are seen on the
globe due to HEC role.
The HEC has been adopting a wholesome approach to
ensure sustainable and progressive research culture in
higher education institutions, ranging from personal
development to strengthening of universities –
through capacity development of human resource,
exposure of faculty and researchers to international
academia by establishing linkages with foreign
universities, strengthening of research and teaching
labs.
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7. Due to this, the research activities have enhanced in
the public sector institutions resulting in increase in
research articles published in impact factor
journals. Streamlined research.
About 30-32 per cent of the development funds of HE
have been allocated for provision of latest teaching
and research lab equipments to expand and enhance
the R&D infrastructure of the universities.
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8. Programs
The HEC will continue to evaluate, improve and
promote higher education by providing policies
guidelines, improving standards and making
investments for infrastructure and human resource
development in Pakistan. Increasing the accessibility
to higher education will be the main focus. Human
resource development will continue through
implementation of a number of initiatives like award
of scholarships, provision of ICT infrastructure, state
of the art Labs, laptops etc
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9. In 2016 one hundred ninety fife national research
projects were funded under National Research Program
for Universities with the maximum duration of three
years. HEC spent 490 million on these projects.
Seminars/Conferences by HEC
HEC is spending huge amounts on conducting
conferences and seminars to promote education via
exchange of views and fresh ideas to boost up the
educational standards.
Infrastructure development by HEC
strengthening of old universities or establishing of new
universities contains a major component of
infrastructure development.
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10. The HEC will continue to evaluate, improve and promote
higher education by providing policies guidelines,
improving standards and making investments for
infrastructure and human resource development in
Pakistan. Increasing the accessibility to higher education
will be the main focus.
Technology Development Fund for the HEC scholars
returning from abroad.
Innovation Centre and Software Park at UET Sub-Campus
Lahore
Establishment of new universities.
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11. Teachers Trainings & HEC
National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Higher
Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad designed a
three weeks National Faculty Development Program
(NFDP) for early career/newly inducted
Lecturers/Assistant Professor of Public Sector HEIs of
Pakistan.
National Faculty Development Program (NFDP) is a
three-week learning program to accelerate the transfer
of essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes in three
dimensions of a successful career as a faculty member:
(1) teaching and learning, (2) applied research, and (3)
professional practice.
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12. Faculty Development Programs
Institutional Faculty Development Program (IFDP) ...
Departmental Faculty Development Program (DFDP) ...
Personalized Faculty Development Program. ...
Leadership Development Academy (LDA) ...
Midcareer Faculty Development Program. ...
Institutional Faculty Mentoring Program. ...
Writing Interest Group (WIG)
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13. Reforming HEC after 18th amendment
The HEC was founded under the auspices of Musharraf
regime and is still functioning in view of the provisions of the
original HEC Ordinance 2002. As per ruling of the Supreme
Court in 2011, the 18th amendment would have no effect on
the functioning of the HEC and in case of any conflict, the
ordinance shall prevail. This effectively means that any
notification of devolution could not supersede the ordinance
of the commission.
The 18th Amendment to the constitution of Pakistan is an
important step forward for the parliamentary system in the
country. It promises more autonomy to the provinces — a
popular demand put forward by a number of political parties.
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14. The 18th Amendment to the constitution of Pakistan is
an important step forward for the parliamentary system
in the country. It promises more autonomy to the
provinces a popular demand put forward by a number
of political parties.
In Pakistan, out of total 187 recognized public and
private sector universities, less than 20% i.e 35 higher
education institutes are federally charted remaining
more than 80% are under the legislative and
administrative control of provincial governments.
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15. Without empowering provinces in higher education
sector as per 18th Constitutional Amendment, desired
results of improving higher education could not be
achieved.
The number of universities in 2002 was around ninety
(90), currently around 240. Although it shows a
significant increase in the number, many stakeholders
are not satisfied with the quality of the graduates
produced by the universities.
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