From Correspondent

Islamabad

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association, has expressed concerns over the new policy by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding MS, MPhil, PhD admissions, supervision, and reviewers.

“The Association believes that the new policy is unrealistic and not in line with the ground realities of universities,” says a statement signed by Prof Dr. Akhtiar Ghumro, FAPUASA Central, General Secretary, issued Tuesday April 11, 2023.

“FAPUASA fears that the new policy will discourage faculty members from supervising MPhil/PhD researchers,” statement said adding that FAPUASA Pakistan believes that HEC is demanding irrationally from academia, and the new policy will negatively affect the quality of research in Pakistan.

The association strongly urged the HEC to withdraw the new policy as it discourages faculty members from supervising MPhil/PhD researchers.

“FAPUASA Pakistan acknowledges the need to improve the research quality in Pakistan, but the association will not allow HEC to ruin the growing research culture,” it said.

The association called upon the HEC to engage with academia to develop a policy that is practical and feasible for universities. The association also urges the HEC to take the concerns of the academic community seriously and work collaboratively to improve the quality of research in Pakistan.

FAPUASA Pakistan believed that a policy that is developed in consultation with academia will be more effective in achieving the desired outcomes.

“FAPUASA Pakistan is committed to promoting the interests of the academic community in Pakistan and will continue to work towards creating an environment that supports high-quality research and academic excellence.”

The association hopes that the HEC will consider its concerns and work with academia to develop policies that are beneficial for all stakeholders involved in higher education in Pakistan, statement concludes.

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Tando Jam

The representatives of selected universities of Pakistan, including the teachers of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), participated in international study tours in USA and Indonesia and attended various events, exhibitions, and workshops, related to higher education, for understanding modern technology, teaching model and methods.

The USAID Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) organized two international study tours for 40 representatives of the Higher Education Commission and selected Pakistani universities from across the country on behalf of the University of Utah USA.

Dr. Tahseen Fatima Miano and Dr. Muhammad Naeem Rajput from Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, and other representatives, arrived on an international visit at the Teaching Fellows Institute (TFI) at the University of Alabama USA. The purpose of the first study tour of all representatives is to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities so that they can become effective teachers. The U.S. exchange training is being facilitated by renowned higher education experts Dr. Claire Major, Dr. Steve Burian, Dr. Lisa Pawloski, and Dr. Karri Holley.

The Pakistani faculty participating in this 2-week U.S. visit has completed the teaching and learning online course as well as the high impact practices and collaborative learning workshops. Participants will observe the classrooms and teaching offices of the University of Alabama and other American colleges and universities based in Alabama and participate in a ‘Master Trainer Workshop’.

The second study tour to Indonesia has brought together HEC and HESSA partner universities’ representatives including Dr. Jam Ghulam Murtaza Sahito from Sindh Agriculture University, to introduce successful models of student microenterprise development initiatives in Indonesian universities including Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, and Universitas Ciputra.

In addition to meetings with relevant stakeholders in Indonesia, participants will attend an extensive training program to improve and develop student micro-enterprises in Pakistan. In this two-week exchange program, participants will also learn and transfer different models to their students and communities as the core technology of business skills.

The USAID’s Higher Education System Strengthening Activity is a partnership between the Government of Pakistan and USAID to address key challenges in the higher education sector. HESSA is collaborating with HEC and 16 partner universities to build their capacity and bridge the gap between graduate skills and 21st-century workplace needs. (PR)

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