Higher education: Students advised to check recognised universities

List of recognised universities and approved programmes available online

LAHORE: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued an advisory to update students about HEC-recognised public and private universities in the province.

Talking to The Express Tribune, an HEC spokesman said the commission had issued the advisory to guide students seeking admissions in the upcoming academic year.

He said the commission had updated its website for students and parents. “They are encouraged to check the list of recognised institutions before applying.”

According to the advisory, the HEC recognises 179 degree-awarding public and private universities and their sub-campuses across the country.

The spokesperson said that the website also had a list of unrecognised institutions and campuses.

The spokesman said colleges affiliated with different universities had also been listed at the website. “Some colleges claim affiliation with a university and promise students that they will get its degree. Affiliation status of a college should be verified by students before they apply. Many students suffer when they discover too late that their college is not affiliated with any university,” he said.

The spokesperson said the list had also tried to address the problem of unrecognised degree programmes at recognised universities. He said it was possible that some degree programmes at recognised institutions might not be approved by the HEC. “It is important for students to know about such degree programmes,” he said.

He said, “Universities need HEC approval before starting a degree programme but some start admissions and seek approval later. It becomes a problem for students when the university fails to complete programme requirements and are left with an unapproved degree.”

He said the HEC had compiled a list of such programmes to avoid a situation where students enrolled in these programmes could put the blame on the commission. He said in the past some institutions had used their students to pressure the HEC into granting approval for their degree programmes or recognition for their sub-campuses.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2016.