ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed criticised the poor quality of higher education and suggested federal and provincial governments to take joint steps to improve the quality of education.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, who belongs to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

The committee was discussing the Prime University of Nursing Sciences Technology Islamabad Bill, 2022 presented by Senator Naseebullah Bazai and the Pakistan Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2022 moved by Senator Mustaq Ahmed Khan.

The Adviser HEC briefed the committee on the proposed Prime University of Nursing Sciences Technology, Islamabad and apprised that the university submitted a feasibility report to HEC for grant of No objection Certificate(NOC) in light f the guidelines for the Establishment of a new University or anInstitute of Higher Education, which is under the process of evaluation/initial scrutiny.

He said that upon meeting all requirements and competition of all modalities, including physical inspection and issuance of HEC`s NOC, the charter of the proposed institute will be vetted as per federal universities ordinances (FUO), 2002 and forwarded to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training for processing and enactment from the Nation Assembly of Pakistan.

Senator Mushtaq, after seeking permission of the chair to speak over the issue as he is not the member of the committee and reached there to defend his bill, said that unfortunately quality of higher education was continuously declining and he held the HEC responsible forit.

While speaking in the meeting and later talking to Dawn, senator Mushtaq said that around eight months ago HEC held a survey in five universities to gauge the quality of education.

`Survey was held in Quaid-i-Azam University, Punjab University, Karachi University, Balochistan University and Peshawar University. As per formula, it was revealed that not a single university fulfilled 50pc criterion and some even could not achieved 30pc points. Itshows that the HEC is not functioning properly.

One should imagine that what will be the quality of Bacha Khan University,` he said.

Senator Mushtaq said that things were further deteriorated after 18th Amendment as provinces lacked capacity to deal with universities.

The Chairman Committee directed the Advisor HEC to expedite the process on corresponding the observations found in the initial scrutiny and give a final verdict whether or not the university fulbls the required criteria for NOC , he said that once this process is done other considerations will fall in place with accordance to the Ministry`s decision.

The Committee urged to delay the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Tests (MDCAT) by at least two months, whether to be conducted provincially or federally.

The Chairman Committee said that the exams should also be conducted as per the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Bill, which is yet to be passed.

`Since the bill will pass eventually, we support the government in the larger interest of students. There is no point in impeding the process and keeping the students in an uncertain position,` he said.