Sidra Maqsood elaborated upon the structure of the semester system and the evaluation criteria for the community college programme during two sessions of the workshop. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: The higher education authorities have taken the initiative of establishing community colleges on the pattern of those in the developed countries to provide market-oriented skills to students.
Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) in collaboration with Higher Education Department (HED) has taken the initiative of establishing community colleges on the pattern of educational institutions in the US, Canada and other progressive countries.
In the initial phase of the project, the colleges selected in Punjab are Government College, Township in Lahore, Government Postgraduate College for Women in Gujranwala, Government College, Civil Lines in Multan and Government College for Women in Faisalabad.
These colleges would offer two-year associate degrees equivalent to bachelor programmes in subjects such as information technology, accounting and finance, media, information technology and fine arts.
“The curriculum for these courses has been developed in close consultation with experts from academies, industry and community, focusing on the needs of these areas, which is a unique mix of theoretical as well as practical skills,” said PHEC Chairperson Prof Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin while addressing an orientation workshop at the University of Education, Township Campus.
Dr Nizam said the students were being offered two-year associate degree programmes in market-driven subjects. “Graduates of these colleges would have a number of career prospects. They can get jobs in the local industry and even get a chance for global opportunities in their respective fields,” he added.
University of Education Vice-Chancellor Dr Rauf-e-Azam, PHEC Director-General Dr Muhammad Shahid Soroya, Academics and Research Director Sidra Maqsood, Quality Assurance Director Zainab Siraj and other officers were also present at the occasion.
Sidra Maqsood elaborated upon the structure of the semester system and the evaluation criteria for the community college programme during two sessions of the workshop.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2016.
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