HEC to get Rs20b to meet educational challenges

ISLAMABAD: With universities across the country struggling for finances, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is expected to get an additional Rs20 billion from the government to invigorate and strengthen higher educational institutions, besides improving quality education across the country.

Officials on Thursday said that the additional funds have been allocated on a request from HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Reviewing the HEC demand, the prime minister directed to provide Rs20 billion on an urgent basis to resolve issues of higher educational institutions, they added.

The prime minister constituted a committee under Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood to address the issues keeping in view the resources, financial rules and regulations of the universities, sources further informed.

The total allocation for HEC during the fiscal year 2019-20 was around Rs60 billion. App

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2020.