ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has allowed students to pursue two degrees at a time under a new policy prepared to meet modern educational needs and global trends.
Under the new policy, a formal framework for educational collaboration between Pakistani and foreign universities has been introduced, while students have also been allowed to pursue two degrees at a time.
According to the commission, the new policy would provide students with international quality education, joint degree programmes and better opportunities for academic linkages with global universities.
Research collaboration, student mobility and educational partnerships will be promoted through the policy, the HEC said.
The new policy specially focuses on quality assurance, transparency and institutional accountability so that degree programs could be run according to world standards.
The HEC officials believe that the new policy would strengthen the process of internationalisation in Pakistani universities while also improving the global recognition and employment opportunities of graduates.
HEC policy on dual, double degree programmes
Earlier this month, HEC approved a policy on dual, double and joint degree programmes to facilitate structured academic collaboration between Pakistani higher education institutions and recognised local and foreign partner institutions.
The policy was introduced in view of the growing globalisation of higher education, increasing student mobility, international academic partnerships, and the need to align Pakistani higher education with global standards.
The policy provided for three forms of collaborative academic arrangements, namely dual degree programmes leading to the award of two degrees in distinct or closely related fields, double degree programmes leading to the award of two degrees in the same discipline by partnering institutions, and joint degree programmes involving the issuance of a single degree jointly awarded and signed by collaborating institutions.
HEC had stated that such programmes may only be offered where universities enter into formal collaborative arrangements in accordance with the approved policy.
Institutions would be required to obtain necessary statutory approvals, execute a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensure credit mapping, define admission and exit requirements, disclose fee structures, provide student protection arrangements, and seek HEC’s NOC before launching any such programme.
The policy would benefit students by expanding access to international learning opportunities, credit mobility, joint supervision, global academic exposure and improved employability.
