Sindh Governor calls for improving research quality in varsities

Imran Ismail takes exception to private universities running illegal campuses

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to ensure enhancement of academic and research quality in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of the province. "Comprehensive policies, monitoring of development grants and priorities are key to the promotion of socio-economic development of the country," he stressed.

He was presiding over a meeting to discuss the functioning and responsibilities of HEC Pakistan at Governor's House. The meeting was attended by HEC Islamabad Operations Member Dr Raza Bhatti, HEC Sindh Regional Director Javed Ali Memon and HEC Islamabad Monitoring Director Naveed Shah.

The governor was briefed in detail about the powers and functions of the commission, with special reference to policy making and grants to universities in both public and private sectors. It was further informed that HEC supports the development of linkages between institutions and industry as well as national and international organisations that fund research and development with a view to enhancing research.

The governor vowed to strengthen the HEIs in Sindh with optimum grant and scholarships for the students in order to maintain standards of education, faculty and research.

The meeting was informed that some private sector universities are operating illegal campuses and some new private sector universities are functioning without the HEC's no-objection certificate (NOC).

Governor Ismail, while expressing serious concern over the operation of illegal campuses in the province, called upon the HEC to initiate proper legal action.

"Establishment of illegal campuses, charter without prior NOC, non-standard curricula and deficient infrastructure are the root cause of producing low quality professionals having incompatible skills and poor employability," he observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2018.