Latest news with #HigherEducationCommission
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
UK-Morocco forge educational ties : New agreements boost English learning and Academic mobility
During his two-day visit to Morocco on June 2, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy concluded educational agreements as part of the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue. A new Memorandum of Understanding establishes a Joint Steering Committee to coordinate joint research projects, transnational education programs, and English-language instruction initiatives. The agreement builds on the 2019 Higher Education Commission framework. Morocco's Ministry of Education announced it will match-fund the British Council's existing "English for Teaching" program, enabling the national expansion of pre-service training for secondary school English teachers and inspectors. This supports Morocco's objective to increase access to quality English education. In a significant policy shift, Morocco committed to automatically recognize UK higher education qualifications for Moroccan students studying in Britain. The country also pledged to facilitate the establishment of UK university campuses in Morocco while recognizing locally-delivered UK degrees. A stakeholder breakfast in Rabat brought together business leaders, educators, English teachers, and policymakers to discuss English language growth in Morocco. The agreements aim to strengthen institutional ties, increase academic mobility, and address global challenges through collaborative innovation.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
HEC boss shown the door
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director, Dr Ziaul Qayyum, has been dismissed from his position after his performance was declared unsatisfactory. Mazhar Saeed has been appointed as the acting Executive Director. The decision was made during a meeting of HEC members chaired by HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar. The meeting, which lasted an hour, included a presentation of Dr Qayyum's performance report via PowerPoint. Following the review, members unanimously approved his dismissal based on the findings. Dr Ziaul Qayyum was appointed as executive director in 2023 for a four-year term. Under the rules of the MP-I scale, annual performance evaluations are mandatory, and his performance was found lacking during the latest review. Acting Executive Director Mazhar Saeed is primarily serving as Director General at the HEC and also holds the additional charge of Advisor for Planning and Development. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar, whose one-year extended term ends on July 28, has long been part of HEC and previously served as executive director before assuming his current role. Sources revealed that tensions between the HEC chairman and the Executive Director had been simmering for several months. Dr Qayyum's removal was reportedly linked to alleged delays in the execution of the federal laptop scheme. Repeated internal efforts to reconcile the differences between the two senior officials failed. In response to his dismissal, Dr Qayyum raised serious concerns about the legality of the process. In a letter, he alleged that he was not allowed to defend himself or respond to the allegations. He claimed that he was informed of the commission meeting via a delayed email the night before and was denied both attendance and secretariat support. He further stated that the HEC chairman unilaterally called the meeting, disregarding his formal objections submitted on April 28. He termed the session a violation of Sections 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the Higher Education Commission Act 2021. The lack of agenda circulation before the virtual meeting, he argued, casts doubt on its legal validity. Dr Qayyum has demanded an impartial review of the allegations and a chance to present his side in accordance with legal procedures. He emphasised that the credibility and transparency of the commission rely on fair treatment and due process. HEC officials maintain that the dismissal was carried out under applicable rules and policies. The post of Executive Director is very important as it acts as the principal accounting officer of the HEC, which deals with about 130 development and non-development budgets of the commission annually. The role also plays a crucial part in coordinating with universities across Pakistan, ensuring policy implementation, and overseeing major national initiatives in the higher education sector. As the HEC navigates this leadership transition, stakeholders within the academic community are closely watching how the commission addresses governance concerns and maintains continuity in its key projects and reforms.
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Final review of HEDP project: HEC, World Bank successfully concludes
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the World Bank have successfully concluded their final joint review of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project. The review highlighted strong progress and mutual satisfaction. Launched in 2019 and supported by the World Bank with USD 400 million, HEDP is set to conclude in June 2025. The five-year project has focused on strengthening research, enhancing quality education, improving access to modern technology, and building faculty and staff capacity through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). The 12th and final World Bank Mission, led by Inga Afanasieva, Task Team Leader and Senior Economist, and the HEC team led by Adviser Awais Ahmad, held a detailed wrap-up session with Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and Executive Director HEC Dr Zia-Ul-Qayyum. The session reviewed implementation progress of all six components of the project and accomplishments against the targets. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed called the project a milestone for Pakistan's higher education sector. He emphasised ongoing efforts to promote excellence in academic research and governance of universities, and translating them into better student outcomes and professional success. The chairman expressed interest in future collaborations with the World Bank. 'HEC is looking forward to having similar partnerships with the World Bank in the future,' he said. Afanasieva praised HEC and the HEDP team for significant progress. 'There's been notable achievement of targets. We see great potential for future collaboration and need to connect the dots for stronger impact,' she said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Job opportunities: German embassy and SAP to launch training programme
KARACHI: The German embassy and German company SAP are working on launching a training programme to provide employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Germany. Speaking to media here on Thursday, Saquib Ahmad, the Country Manager for SAP in Pakistan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Afghanistan, said Pakistan has a large number of young people, while there are many skilled job opportunities vacant in Europe. To provide skilled employment to young Pakistanis in Germany, the German embassy wants to launch a training programme in collaboration with SAP that focuses on skills in demand in Germany and other European countries. The embassy will gather details about job opportunities in Germany, while SAP will train individuals through its technology platform to make them employable in Germany. On this occasion, SAP's Director of Marketing, Shamuel Ali and Large Enterprise Director, Fahad Zahid, also shared their views on promoting business through technology. Saquib Ahmad stated that his company provides digitalization and automation services to governments and businesses in over 180 countries around the world, and there is high demand for certified professionals trained in their systems, especially in Europe and Gulf countries. SAP-certified professionals are in great demand, and Pakistan is one of the few countries where SAP system certification is available completely free of cost. To modernize technology education at the university level in Pakistan, SAP is collaborating with three universities to introduce new technology-related courses. In partnership with the Higher Education Commission, the systems of public universities, such as accounting and other operations, are being transitioned to SAP systems, which will enhance transparency. Of the youth currently receiving training from the Pakistani government, 40% are being trained on SAP platforms. SAP-trained professionals are securing jobs both within the country and abroad. Pakistani youth are now being employed in Gulf countries, and many have become heads of companies there. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
