KARACHI:
The undergraduate studies admission test (USAT) is a great initiative introduced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It will help tackle inequality, injustice and other issues involved in securing admission at top-notch universities in Pakistan. Considering that most universities have already been undertaking admission tests of their own, the announcement of USAT by HEC was rather late.
Across the country, different universities require separate USAT result cards and challans for admission. This has posed difficulties for students who now have to pay twice as much in challan fees. The HEC should have ensured that all universities require the same result card to avoid putting students in a predicament. High inflation and rising unemployment have already made it difficult for people to meet their needs. Students often struggle to pay for a single university challan at the institutes they desire to pursue higher education. Additional charges for result cards will further discourage students from pursuing higher education.
On behalf of all students, I urge the relevant authorities to finalise a decision on whether the USAT result cards are adequate for admissions or not. It should not jeopardise the future of students. Many students will not be able to afford the USAT challan and a university challan. The HEC should mandate all the universities to consider this and not charge for another admit card.
Pehlaj Kumar
Karoondi
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2021.
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