Islamabad, September 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture urges the Government to allocate at least 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of the country. 31st meeting of the Standing Committee held today in the Committee Room of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Makhdoom Syed Sami-ul-Hassan Gillani, MNA.
During the course of briefing given by the Chairman HEC on the working of the Commission, the Committee was apprised that despite allocation of only 0.084% of the GDP for Recurring Grant of HEIs for the Financial Year 2022-23, the HEC was determined not the compromise the quality of higher education.
The Committee; expressing concern over the meagre allocation, urged the Government that at least 1% of the GDP should be allocated so that the higher education in the country could be enhanced further.
On the issue of attestation of remaining degrees/transcripts of the students of sub-campuses and affiliated colleges of the Sargodha University, the Committee was informed by the Mover namely Ch. Hamid Hameed, MNA, that the HEC had not yet completed the requisite attestation process causing grave concern amongst the students.
Moreover, the said University was running its affairs without Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Treasurer, the Mover added. The Committee directed the Chairman HEC to look into the matter, expedite the attestation process and get filled the vacancies at the earliest so that the concerns of the students are redressed.
About revision of policy for appointment and promotions of All Pakistan Universities BPS Teachers Faculty (APUBTF), the Chairman HEC informed the Committee that pursuant to the directions of the Standing Committee, he held meetings with the delegation of APUBTF and the issue was very close to its resolution. The Committee appreciated the spirit of the Chairman HEC and directed that the final outcome may be shared with the Members of the Committee.
Regarding agenda item pertaining to repatriation of 300 female teachers working on deputation basis on wedlock policy in Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the Committee was informed by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry that in compliance to the directions of the Standing Committee made during it meeting held on 17th of August, 2022, the Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, had held the repatriation orders of 33 deputationists’ teachers in abeyance with effect from 6th September, 2022, till final outcome of the court cases. The Committee appreciated the spirit shown by the Secretary of the Ministry however decided to invite the teachers in the next meeting.
On the issue of missing admission forms of BA 1st Annual from the Islamia University Bahawalpur, the VC of the said University namely Engr. Prof. Dr. Ather Mahboob informed the Committee that the matter was duly inquired by an inquiry committee appointed by the previous management however none was held responsible in the said inquiry report.
The Committee showed displeasure on the state of affairs with the view that all those involved for such a lapse should have been held responsible. The Committee, therefore, directed the incumbent VC to hold a fresh inquiry into the matter, find out all those involved for the lapse, take action (s) against them and submit report to the Committee within 15 days.
The Committee deferred consideration of “The NCS-Institute of Science Bill, 2021” (moved by Mr. James Iqbal, MNA), “The Pak China Gwadar University Lahore Bill, 2022” (moved by Mr. Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, MNA), and “The Indus University of Science and Technology Bill, 2022” (moved by Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, MNA) due to non-attendance of the Movers.
The Committee also deferred the Starred Question No. 2, regarding establishment of nine Engineering Universities in the country through a multi-billion-dollar project started by HEC in 2005” (moved by Ms. Shagufta Jumani, MNA) as the Mover of the said Question was not present in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by MNAs; Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Cheema, Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed, Mian Najeeb Ud Din Awaisi, Ms. Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Dr. Samina Matloob, Ms. Musarrat Rafiq Mahesar, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Mr. Asmatullah, Mrs. Farrukh Khan, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, Ms. Javairia Zafar Aheer, Ms. Aliya Kamran besides Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training (Ms. Zeb Jaffar, MNA) and senior officers of HEC, M/o Federal Education and Professional Training and its attached Departments/Organizations.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk
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