HEC, Sindh HEC at odds overVCs forum in Morocco
A dispute has emerged between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) over the participation of university vice chancellors in an upcoming international forum scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco.
HEC has invited vice chancellors from across the country to attend the forum, asking universities to cover the travel expenses themselves. However, the Sindh HEC has refused to allow universities in the province to use provincial grants for this purpose.
Sindh HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi has issued an advisory to the heads of all public sector universities advising them not to undertake foreign trips using public funds, with a warning that any such cases will be reported to the Chief Minister, the Chancellor or Controlling Authority of Universities in Sindh.
"The Sindh government provides grants to universities strictly for academic and research purposes. These funds cannot be spent on foreign trips," said Rafi. He added that while vice chancellors are free to attend the forum at their own expense, they are not permitted to use university or government funds for the trip.
Sindh HEC reminded that it was difficult for many public sector universities in Sindh to even pay salaries of the teachers and staff. Even essential expenditures were covered by loans, he said.
If such expenditures for international travel is of dire need, then they can only be incurred after approval of the same has been given by the Chief Minister.
The Sindh HEC quoting the existing policy of the Universities and Boards Department of Sindh says, that the leave notifications issued for foreign tours explicitly mention that the expenses of such tours will not be borne by the Government of Sindh or university funds.
The Vice Chancellors' Forum was originally planned to be held in Islamabad last month, but it was relocated to Rabat due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, sources said.
Sindh HEC emphasized that most universities in the province are already facing financial deficits, and spending scarce resources on international travel would be irresponsible.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
HEC, Sindh HEC at odds overVCs forum in Morocco
A dispute has emerged between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) over the participation of university vice chancellors in an upcoming international forum scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco. HEC has invited vice chancellors from across the country to attend the forum, asking universities to cover the travel expenses themselves. However, the Sindh HEC has refused to allow universities in the province to use provincial grants for this purpose. Sindh HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi has issued an advisory to the heads of all public sector universities advising them not to undertake foreign trips using public funds, with a warning that any such cases will be reported to the Chief Minister, the Chancellor or Controlling Authority of Universities in Sindh. "The Sindh government provides grants to universities strictly for academic and research purposes. These funds cannot be spent on foreign trips," said Rafi. He added that while vice chancellors are free to attend the forum at their own expense, they are not permitted to use university or government funds for the trip. Sindh HEC reminded that it was difficult for many public sector universities in Sindh to even pay salaries of the teachers and staff. Even essential expenditures were covered by loans, he said. If such expenditures for international travel is of dire need, then they can only be incurred after approval of the same has been given by the Chief Minister. The Sindh HEC quoting the existing policy of the Universities and Boards Department of Sindh says, that the leave notifications issued for foreign tours explicitly mention that the expenses of such tours will not be borne by the Government of Sindh or university funds. The Vice Chancellors' Forum was originally planned to be held in Islamabad last month, but it was relocated to Rabat due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, sources said. Sindh HEC emphasized that most universities in the province are already facing financial deficits, and spending scarce resources on international travel would be irresponsible.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business Recorder
HEC, EDF sign MoU
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Export Development Fund (EDF), an autonomous body operating under the Ministry of Commerce, signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly work on projects critical to magnify the country's exports. Executive Director HEC Dr Mazhar Saeed and Executive Director EDF Syed Abbas Mehdi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. Chairman HEC Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Paul witnessed the signing ceremony. The MoU lays the groundwork for significant investment to enhance country's export-oriented research which will provide ways and means for technology transfer. The projects to be funded shall be selected through committee of experts comprising of officials from industry, HEC and EDF. The partnership directly tackles long-standing challenges faced by Pakistani exporters in value addition, promising to unlock new opportunities and boost the nation's global trade performance. The collaboration will focus on five critical areas such as boosting research grants, establishing advanced research and testing laboratories for provision of various services to exporters and start-ups, forging stronger industry-academia linkages, expanding international outreach through facilitating partnership of local institutions with international partnering , and elevating workforce skills. Expressing his views on this occasion, Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed termed the partnership between HEC and EDF a heartening development. He shed light on HEC's efforts for promotion of impact-based research initiatives while especially referring to Research for Innovation Portal (RFI), Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs), and Business Incubation Centres (BICs). He maintained that HEC is heading towards a major shift from producing a high number of research publications to a heightened impact of research. He also highlighted HEC's collaborative endeavours with different government entities in this regard. The chairman appreciated the government's commitment to supporting joint efforts of national institutions for the national development. Concerted joint efforts will certainly yield more positive results than the outcomes the country's institutions are producing while working in silos, he affirmed. Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Paul underlined the MoU as part of the government's targets to double the country's exports in the next five years. Highlighting various measures of the government to achieve this end, he said Pakistani companies are competing globally; however, the government aims to expand and enhance the capacity of firms. He appreciated HEC's programmes and initiatives directed towards promotion of research and innovation in the higher education institutions. He hoped that the collaboration between HEC and EDF will play its due part in the outcomes of government's efforts to enhance the country's exports. Earlier Engr Dr Mazhar Saeed, executive director HEC shed light on the background of the bilateral collaboration. He underscored that HEC is working together with different institutions on various fronts to strengthen research and innovation in the country. He added that the HEC-EDF partnership is part of the same series. This forward-thinking agreement sets a collaborative roadmap aimed at propelling Pakistan's export sector to new heights through innovative research and strategic initiatives, he noted. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Murad urges youth to contribute to investment and defence
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has urged the youth to contribute to national investment and defence, saying during the recent conflict with India, the power of the people combined with technology played a vital role. Speaking at the Sindh Startups Exhibition, organised by the Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he emphasised for creating bridge between classrooms and boardrooms, and between research and real-world impact. The exhibition featured ideas from students and faculty across Sindh's public and private universities. From the 50 projects presented in the moot, five outstanding entries were selected by industry leaders based on their potential for scaling, adoption, and industrialisation. Each winning team will receive a cash award of Rs0.5million. The chief minister lauded the Sindh HEC for its vision and commitment to strengthening higher education, noting a shift from routine learning to real innovation and collaboration. He urged all Vice Chancellors and university leaders to draw inspiration from this initiative and leverage their Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) to cultivate a local culture of invention, entrepreneurship, and applied research. He said that his government is vigorously promoting higher education. The province allocates the highest development budget for universities, amounting to Rs35 billion, with an additional Rs8 billion for development portfolios. 'This funding surpasses the combined allocations of the other three provinces and the federal government,' he said. He stressed the importance of universities producing not just graduates, but "innovators, creators, and problem-solvers," and developing platforms for student and faculty engagement with industry. This, he said, will steer universities towards self-sustainability, reducing dependency on government funding. Chairman Sindh HEC Dr Tariq Rafi highlighted this exhibition as the fourth major collaborative initiative between Sindh HEC and FPCCI. Previous efforts included the Sindh Research Support Program and events spotlighting university-based inventions, all aimed at delivering local solutions to local industries and moving universities towards greater self-reliance. Dr Rafi underscored the critical interdependence of industry and academia, stating, "Around the world, the most advanced industrial ecosystems owe their success to the breakthroughs, insights, and talent emerging from their universities." Chairman CIEC, Sindh HEC, Dr Sarosh Lodhi envisioned a future where ORICs function as "active launch pads for ideas" and encouraged more institutions to host local innovation showcases and campus-industry dialogues. President FPCCI Atif Shaikh also spoke. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
