Limit enrolments to spring, fall sessions: HEC

Institutions urged to mention place of study on any official transcripts

ISLAMABAD: In a letter issued to vice chancellors, rectors and directors of all public and private universities on Tuesday, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has expressed its serious concern that certain universities announce admissions and admit students three-to-four times a year and even enrol fresh students in summer programmes which are meant only for improvement of courses and fulfilment of deficiency. Therefore, the HEC has prohibited any institution from enrolling new students more than twice a year, specifically keeping new admissions limited to spring and fall semesters.



The letter reads, "As per policy, any educational institute can admit students maximum twice in one academic year, that is spring and fall sessions. It is neither allowed as per policy nor administratively and physically viable to run more than two academic sessions in one year," the letter explains. It advises all the universities to refrain from enrolling students more than twice in an academic year, rather advertise for admissions and enrol students in spring and fall sessions as per HEC semester system guidelines.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed the higher education institutions to uphold academic standards in order to ensure quality education and fulfilment of all requisite criteria in quantitative and qualitative terms.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2018.