‘Attack On Hec’: VCs denounce new bill

ISLAMABAD:

An executive committee of vice-chancellors (VC) from various universities on Wednesday denounced the Higher Education Commission Private Amendment Bill.

The bill, which seeks to curtail the commission’s powers, was recently passed by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education and Training.

The VCs expressed concern over the proposed recommendations in the bill and stated that it will ultimately hit the autonomy of the commission.  The VCs were of the view that it would be unfortunate if this legislation is done at such a critical juncture of higher education in Pakistan.

The standing committee on January 23 proposed certain amendments in the bill specifically cutting short the term of HEC chairman from four to three years and revoking his status as a federal minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2013.