Varsities barred from granting affiliations

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a complete ban on granting new affiliations to colleges and institutions by universities, including affiliations in programmes, to ensure the quality of education, a press statement said Monday.

The decision came as part of the statutory body’s ongoing review of the affiliation policy/criteria aimed at enhancing the standards of higher education in the country and curbing the practice of certain public sector universities granting affiliations to colleges and institutions lacking adequate infrastructure, faculty, and auxiliary facilities despite clear directions issued by the HEC.

“In view of the foregoing, all public sector HEIs having the authority to grant affiliations are hereby instructed to immediately cease granting new affiliations to any college or institution as well as programmes, until the revised criteria are issued,” the statement said.

“However, the extension of affiliation for already affiliated programmes and colleges/institutions is permissible, provided that an HEC nominee is part of the Affiliation Committee for renewal,” it added.

It went on to add that the public sector HEIs were required to promptly withdraw any advertisements related to granting affiliations that have been published in print and social media.

“Failure to comply with these directions will result in the non-recognition and non-attestation of degrees issued by the non-compliant HEIs, and HEC will be compelled to initiate appropriate actions in accordance with the standard operating procedures.”

The move follows HEC's authority under Ordinance No. LIII of 2002 to establish policies, guiding principles, and priorities for HEIs to promote the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2023.