Vice Chancellors of public and private universities object to the proposed amendments in the HEC Ordinance

Vice Chancellors of public and private universities objected to the proposed amendments in the HEC Ordinance!

Under the new proposed amendments proposed by the Ministry of Education, the controlling authority of the HEC will remain with the Prime Minister, but he can delegate his powers to the Minister of Education, while the status of the Chairman of the HEC will be abolished.

As reported, the Vice-chancellors of public and private universities of the country have expressed serious concerns over the proposed amendments in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Ordinance 2002.

According to the report, during the meeting held at the HEC Secretariat, the Vice Chancellors submitted that if these amendments are approved, the autonomy of the HEC will be severely compromised.

In the meeting of vice-chancellors of public universities, the proposed amendments in the ‘HEC Ordinance and Public Account’ and ‘Payment Procedure 2022’ were discussed, and the vice-chancellors of private universities discussed only the amendments to HEC Ordinance.

An official statement issued by the HEC after the said meetings said that ‘Vice-chancellors and rectors of all public and private sector universities have approved the HEC Ordinance as well as the Public Accounts and Payment Procedures proposed in 2022. Expressed serious concern over the amendments.

The statement said that the Vice-Chancellors emphasized that HEC and universities have worked hard for the development of Pakistan’s education sector and all these steps will prove detrimental to this development.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Executive Director Dr Shaista Sohail also participated in the meeting.

The new proposal states that the Higher Education Commission may make rules to carry out the objectives of the HEC Ordinance with the prior approval of the concerned Ministry, HEC will be entrusted with the responsibilities of the concerned Ministry and its annual performance.

The report shall be submitted to the concerned Ministry/Division.

A statement issued by the HEC said that the forums unanimously opposed the proposed amendments and demanded the government strengthen the autonomous status of the HEC for better performance.

The newly elected head of the Vice Chancellors Committee, Dr Iqar Ahmad Khan said that the Vice Chancellors expressed concern over the newly proposed amendments as they would compromise the autonomy of the HEC.

“We will raise both the issues with the government and request them to withdraw them,” he said.