Degree attestation: Inordinate delays, ‘priority’ applicants frustrate students
An insider says those submitting documents through friends in the HEC have unfair advantage.
Students applying for admission in foreign universities require degree attestation and equivalence certificates. The HEC is the only authority in the country that provides these services. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Jostling to reach the counter and haggling with the security guard are just some of the frustrations students encounter when they visit the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to attest their degrees.
“I am really disappointed at the lack of action being taken to address this situation,” said Samiullah, who has come all the way from Bannu to have his degree attested.
Samiullah is one of hundreds who arrive at the HEC as early as 6am to queue up for expedited service.
“It is not easy to submit your degree and once you do, it is another few hours before you get it back attested,” said Tajdar, who was the victim of a long queue. Students applying for admission in foreign universities require degree attestation and equivalence certificates. The HEC is the only authority in the country that provides these services.
One can understand the frustration and uncertainty that persists at the attestation booths and counters. Routinely, those seeking attestation get a token upon reaching the counter, only to be dispatched elsewhere to submit their documents. The actual degree verification process takes a further few hours.
An insider from the HEC’s attestation department said one obstacle in the smooth functioning of the process is the priority given to those submitting documents with HEC references. This caused unnecessary delays for the majority of people, who spend close to a full day waiting for their documents after having travelled from distant locations.
“We receive orders from HEC department officials to expedite the attestation of their friends’ or relatives’ documents, and we have to comply,” said the insider.
On an official level, HEC Attestation Department Assistant Director Azizullah said the root of the problem lay in a server-related technological glitch. “Ansar Amjad has taken charge of the information technology department, and has been directed to address this problem,” he said.
Azizullah said the department officials will be working seven days a week to handle the growing number of people seeking attestation services.
An HEC spokesperson said around 300 to 400 people visited the department daily, adding that the commission’s regional officer was assisting people from far-flung areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2013.
Jostling to reach the counter and haggling with the security guard are just some of the frustrations students encounter when they visit the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to attest their degrees.
“I am really disappointed at the lack of action being taken to address this situation,” said Samiullah, who has come all the way from Bannu to have his degree attested.
Samiullah is one of hundreds who arrive at the HEC as early as 6am to queue up for expedited service.
“It is not easy to submit your degree and once you do, it is another few hours before you get it back attested,” said Tajdar, who was the victim of a long queue. Students applying for admission in foreign universities require degree attestation and equivalence certificates. The HEC is the only authority in the country that provides these services.
One can understand the frustration and uncertainty that persists at the attestation booths and counters. Routinely, those seeking attestation get a token upon reaching the counter, only to be dispatched elsewhere to submit their documents. The actual degree verification process takes a further few hours.
An insider from the HEC’s attestation department said one obstacle in the smooth functioning of the process is the priority given to those submitting documents with HEC references. This caused unnecessary delays for the majority of people, who spend close to a full day waiting for their documents after having travelled from distant locations.
“We receive orders from HEC department officials to expedite the attestation of their friends’ or relatives’ documents, and we have to comply,” said the insider.
On an official level, HEC Attestation Department Assistant Director Azizullah said the root of the problem lay in a server-related technological glitch. “Ansar Amjad has taken charge of the information technology department, and has been directed to address this problem,” he said.
Azizullah said the department officials will be working seven days a week to handle the growing number of people seeking attestation services.
An HEC spokesperson said around 300 to 400 people visited the department daily, adding that the commission’s regional officer was assisting people from far-flung areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2013.