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Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)
| उच्चतर शिक्षा आयोग | |
| File:Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (logo).jpg | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 11 September 2002 |
| Preceding |
|
| Jurisdiction | Pakistan |
| Headquarters | Islamabad-44000 33°40′N 73°03′E / 33.67°N 73.05°ECoordinates: 33°40′N 73°03′E / 33.67°N 73.05°E |
| Motto | Facilitating Institutes of higher learning to serve as an Engine of Growth for the Socio-Economic Development of Pakistan |
| Annual budget | 102.4 arab Rs. (2013–14)[1] |
| Agency executives |
|
| Website | hec |
The Higher Education Commission, commonly referred to as HEC, is a statutory organisation established by the Government of Pakistan in 2002 under the chairmanship of Atta-ur-Rahman. Its primary responsibilities include funding, regulating, overseeing, and accrediting higher education institutions throughout the country.
Originally founded in 1974 as the University Grants Commission (UGC), it transformed into its current form on 11 September 2002, following significant reforms led by Atta-ur-Rahman, which garnered international acclaim. The commission plays a crucial role in developing policies related to higher education and ensuring quality standards that align with international benchmarks. It is also tasked with accrediting academic degrees, fostering the establishment of new educational institutions, and enhancing the capabilities of existing ones in Pakistan.
In addition, the HEC has been instrumental in advancing the higher education system in the nation, aiming to elevate universities and degree-awarding institutes as centers for high-level education, research, and development. Over the years, it has significantly contributed to building a knowledge-based economy in Pakistan by awarding hundreds of doctoral scholarships each year for studies abroad.
History[edit]
1947-1971 : Genesis and development[edit]
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When Pakistan was created in August 1947[2], it had only one higher education institution, the University of the Punjab, along with around forty colleges spread across its four provinces. Following a revision of the education policy by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, the government initiated the establishment of various universities and colleges nationwide. In the same year, Muhammad Ali Jinnah convened a National Education Conference (also known as the Pakistan Education Conference) with academicians and stakeholders to reassess the higher education policy in the country.
... The importance of education and the type of education cannot be over-emphasised ... There is no doubt that the future of our state of Pakistan will and must greatly depend upon the type of education we give to our children and the way in which we bring them up as future citizens of Pakistan.... We should not forget that we have to compete with the world which is moving very fast in this direction....
— Muhammad Ali Jinnah, 1947, [3]
List of chairmen[edit]
The following is a list of people who have served as the chairman of the Higher Education Commission. One term lasts four years. Atta-ur-Rehman completed his tenure in 2006, but was given another term till 2010. He resigned on 9 October 2008.[4]
| No. | Name | Tenure start | Tenure end | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atta-ur-Rahman | October 2002 | 9 October 2008 | [4] |
| 2 | Javaid Laghari | 23 August 2009 | 23 August 2013 | [5] |
| Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani (acting) | 9 November 2013 | 14 April 2014 | [6] | |
| 3 | Mukhtar Ahmed | 15 April 2014 | 15 April 2018 | [7] |
| 4 | Tariq Banuri | 28 May 2018 | 28 May 2022 | [8][9] |
| 5 | Mukhtar Ahmed | 1 August 2022 | Present | [7] |
References[edit]
- ↑ Rizwan-ul-Haq (13 June 2013). "Budget 2013–14: Higher education gets attention, finally". June 13, 2013. Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ↑ https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/why-pakistan-celebrates-its-independence-day-on-august-14-a-day-before-india-101691905195140.html
- ↑ Bengali, Kaisar; et al. (1999). "History of Educational Policy Making and Planning in Pakistan" (PDF). The Journal of SDPI.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Attaur Rehman to resign". Dawn. 10 October 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ↑ "PM denies Javed Laghari another term as HEC chairman". The Express Tribune. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ↑ Junaidi, Ikram (16 April 2014). "HEC gets permanent chairperson at last". Dawn. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed assumes charge of Chairman HEC". Pakistan Today. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ↑ Wazir, Hamid Khan. "Dr Tariq Banuri appointed as HEC chairman". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ↑ Abbasi, Kashif (19 January 2022). "IHC restores Dr Tariq Banuri as HEC chairman". Dawn. Retrieved 10 August 2022.