Higher Education Commission (HEC) is the only controlling authority (established in 2002 vide Ordinance LIII issued on September 11, 2002) for evaluation, improvement and promotion of Higher education in Pakistan. Since inception, HEC has been playing a pivotal role as an engine of Growth for the Socio-Economic Development of Pakistan. HEC's commitment and integrity with its mission-statement (which is “to facilitate institutions of higher learning, to serve as an engine of socio-economic development of Pakistan”) is irrefutable. HEC has become prerequisite for degrees’ attestation for admission in leading universities of the world. [1] The press, media and blogs by internationally renowned educationalist, economist and journalists have scrutinized HEC’s success on various levels that can be Googled on Internet. [2]
HEC has been checking academic qualifications across the board regardless of any distinction between national or private sector institutions. In 2010, HEC checked academic qualification of lawgivers in Pakistan and provide the list of fake/phony degrees of parliamentarians, which were more than 46. Its a bold step by HEC to uproot corruption from education, because of that HEC has been facing strong oppression, criticism and now Government has decided to dissolve HEC in the name of implementation of 18 amendment which means all the current higher education activities and responsibilities will be surrendered by Federal Government to Provincial Governments and some of the functions of HEC will be given to the Federal Ministry after dismemberment. But the fact is, “HEC is legally & constitutionally protected under 18 amendment, it’s not on the concurrent list. Higher education, regulatory bodies, science & research institutes are federal subjects. HEC has built a capacity in Pakistan, which has federal universities, quality assurance, accreditation, standards of education and curriculums etc. These capacities can only be built at the central level, its not like that you will engage provincial Government to work on their own to develop different standards which will inevitably jeopardize the quality of higher education which is not the practice any where in the world”. [3]
Students, teachers, lecturers and professors from all over Pakistan are on protest against the government’s decision and demanding to stop HEC devolution. A conference was organized by Hamdard University in which intellectuals and educationalists from different walks of life participated. The conference highlighted various economic issues, which Pakistan is facing today as well as proposed different solutions to cope up these economic challenges. Participants’ thereafter passed a unanimous resolution, which demanded Government of Pakistan that they should not devolve HEC for country and Higher Education sake and retain its present position. [4]
The national innovation system (NIS), which is a system of interaction between private and public firms (either large or small), universities and government agencies, aiming at the production of science and technology within national borders will be considered as stillborn by future historians if the HEC devolution is carried out. [5]
Business community is of great concern keeping in view the scarcity of qualified human resource.Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) sturdily condemns Government’s decision to devolve HEC. While commenting on this decision ICCI ‘s President Mr. Mahfooz Elahi put strong emphasis considering the need of highly qualified scientists, economist and researchers to confront current economic challenges Pakistan is facing today. The President put strong emphasis on developing a big team of PhDs for addressing economic challenges through roadmaps and strategies. The President was of the concern that such types of decisions will expedite the process of brain drain that will force people to leave the country and use their potential in other economies of the world. [6]
“We must certainly come to see that education, including higher education, is the most important tool we have for economic development and for bringing cultures and differing ideas together. From training a new workforce for a changing society, to educating the entrepreneurs that will develop new small and large businesses, education is the only sure way to grow the economy”. [7]
If we instigate our research on internet, we will come across with various Not for Profits organizations, which are working for several years to build the capacity of Youth on various facets: Whether its facilitation of youth entrepreneurship, skills development, micro-finance, and internship programs Or The Citizen foundation which is facilitating education reach to young students belonging to the lower stature of the socio-economic class. If devolution takes place, higher education sector will become cradle of corruption, colleges and universities will lose their identities and true potential, and this will inevitably bring forth future of young students, entrepreneurs, and business communities (who are starving for educated and learned human capital) at stake.
It’s a habit of democratically developing world to empower colleges and universities, which certainly make significant contributions to national economic development. Government should protect its strength and assets, which can be leveraged to benefit economic reform, entrepreneurial culture and development goals, which can have an impact to maximize results for a region, state and country. HEC should resume and should be glued with the federal government as a central controlling body, however if HEC's devolution takes place then Higher education progress of Pakistan will be roll-backed to the year 2002. Therefore, Government should support HEC to fulfill the economic development initiatives.
References:
[1] Aalto University, Espoo Finland
[2] Hay ward, Fred M. (Winter 2009). "Higher Education Transformation in Pakistan: Political & Economic Instability".
International Higher Education Quarterly (54)
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/newsletter/Number54/p19_Hayward.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-10 [source HEC Pakistan]
[3] Dr. Javaid Laghari (Chairman - HEC) Interview. Govt. sticks to HEC devolution plan with Dawn News (2011). Dawn News. April 6, 2011.
[4] “Hamdard University’s Advisory Council”. (May 2011) Khabar Nama Hamdard, pp 15, 16.
[5] To devolve or not to devolve.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/151418/to-devolve-or-not-to-devolve/
[6] ICCI strongly condemns govt’s decision to devolve HEC.http://www.onepakistan.com/news/local/islamabad/94617-icci-strongly-condemns-govt’s-decision-to-devolve-hec.html
[7] Larry D. Lauer is a pioneer in integrated marketing and strategic communication.http://www.larrydlauer.com/
