National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Wednesday took strict notice of a number of universities’ sub-campuses open in small homes and buildings throughout the country and directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to close these campuses immediately.
The body meeting with MNA Col. (Retd) Amirullah Marwat in the chair was held at HEC Secretariat.
It said that these un-constitutional campuses were the main reason behind the decreasing quality of education in universities.
Chairman HEC assured the body of closing down these un-constitutional campuses and sought help from the body members too.
The committee was also informed that many universities have occupied thousands of acres land worth millions of rupees as it can be used for many other purposes like agriculture sector.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Engr Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman highlighting the benefits of Prime Minister Laptop Scheme said that these laptops were being provided to shining students with 75%, adding that through the scheme the learning of the students have been improved.
Chairman HEC, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad briefed the committee about the role of the commission and said that the number of universities in 2002 was 59 which have now reached to 178.
The committee recommended that each province should spend more funds for the promotion of higher education.
Dr Mukhtar told the NA body that HEC has evolved its whole system as per international standards. The reason, 10 universities have ranked in the top 300 universities of Asia.