164 more govt colleges to offer 4-year BS programmes

Currently, 55 colleges conducting BS classes; initiative to save students from hefty varsity fees

KARACHI:

The Sindh government is set to introduce four-year Bachelor of Studies (BS) programmes in an additional 164 government colleges across the province, a move aimed at expanding access to higher education at affordable costs and closer to students' homes.

Under this initiative, students will be able to pursue degrees in disciplines such as Science, Commerce, Arts, and Computer Science at nearby public colleges with significantly lower fees, eliminating the need to travel long distances to universities.

To promote higher education and provide quality academic opportunities at the local level, the Sindh Colleges Department has initiated concrete steps to extend four-year BS programmes to colleges. Applications have been submitted to affiliate selected government colleges with various public universities.

Of the 376 government colleges operating across Sindh, 164 have formally applied for university affiliation to launch BS programmes. The core objective of this policy is to ensure that a larger number of students can access undergraduate education within their own cities and districts.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Secretary for Colleges Nadeemur Rehman said that 55 colleges in the province are already offering four-year BS programmes under university affiliations. During the current year, five more colleges in Karachi have been granted affiliation, bringing the total to 60. He added that approvals for BS programmes in another 159 colleges are expected soon, with affiliations from additional universities also in the pipeline.