The mysterious silence of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) bosses on the proposed transfer of some key functions of the commission to other ministries/divisions has raised questions about their commitment to the HEC’s objectives.
Around four months back, when the PPP government made a similar effort under the guise of devolution of the HEC, the same people had created much noise over the issue, strongly opposing the Senator Raza Rabbani-led commission on the implementation of 18th Amendment at every forum.
However, it seems that they now have taken a 180-degree turn from their stated stance, as they deemed it fit to remain silent.
A source claimed that before moving ahead on transferring the three key functions of the HEC to the newly-created Regulation and Service Division, the PPP leadership assured the two top-guns of HEC that they would be ‘accommodated’ at appropriate slots, if silence was ensured.
According to the reported transfer of functions, the international exchange of students and teachers as well as foreign studies training would be transferred to the new ministry, while a commission for the standards of higher education would be established, with a core function of degree recognition, equivalence and attestation.
The source further claimed that the government was also working on a draft, in which transfer of degree verification cell would come under the control of the Cabinet Division, with the public sector universities operating in Islamabad becoming a domain of the ICT administration.
On the other hand, foreign scholarship programmes are supposed to be assigned to the Foreign Affairs Division and the welfare of international students to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination.
But, HEC Executive Director Dr Sohail Naqvi, while talking to Pakistan Today, rejected the reports. When asked about the reported transfer of three key functions to the newly-created ministry, Dr Naqvi said, “I have no idea of such notification. But let me make it clear that under the ruling of Pakistan Supreme Court and Council for Common Interest’s decision, new legislation is required before transferring any of the HEC’s functions.”
