Tertiary study plan of 600 in jeopardy

Financial constraints of the HEC lead to deferment of higher study programmes at foreign universities.

ISLAMABAD: Financial constraints of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) have led to the deferment of higher study programmes of around 600 fresh local students at foreign universities.

Dr Sohail Naqvi, the commission’s executive director, said that the prime minister had constituted a committee to look into the issue. “In a recent committee meeting, it was agreed that higher study programmes of fresh students will be deferred to avoid further liabilities amidst a financial crunch,” he said. However, he said, they were still trying to send these students abroad as some students had individually contacted the prime minister and the president.

Meanwhile, HEC chairperson Dr Javed Leghari said that the commission was still waiting for a response from the finance ministry for releasing urgently required funds for students to pursue their PhD programs. “There is no other option for the HEC but to send these students without support from the finance ministry,” he said.

He said that HEC officials were constantly in touch with the finance ministry to settle the issue since these students had had to work very hard to avail these opportunities.

Meanwhile, finance secretary Salman Siddique said he had no idea about this deferment and claimed that the ministry had issued funds for the HEC and would release more funds in the coming months.

According to sources, students who had been accepted at foreign universities were regularly contacting and visiting the HEC to inquire about the latest position. But the HEC responses have been ambiguous and unhelpful.

A student, who has been accepted for a PhD programme at an Australian university, expressed disappointment over the government’s attitude. “This is sheer irresponsibility on part of the HEC and the finance ministry,” he said, on condition of anonymity. “It is very difficult to avail such opportunities for higher studies in reputed universities. This is a great loss to our careers.”

Faiz, another student, complained that the HEC had earlier told him to conduct a research study with a US university on the economic causes of terrorism. “The HEC said we would be paid Rs3 million for three students.

Later, they retracted and said that they could only pay Rs1 million due to lack of funds,” he said, adding that it is impossible for students to conduct the research using such a meagre amount.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2010.