The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed higher education institutions (HEIs) to stop offering Associate Degree Programs (ADPs) through annual and private-candidate modes following concerns over non-compliance with its undergraduate education policy.
In a notification issued on September 25, HEC said some institutions had continued offering ADPs through annual and private-candidate systems after the phase-out of conventional BA and BSc programs. The commission noted that some institutions had only changed the titles of former BA/BSc programs to ADPs without aligning their structure and delivery methods with HEC policy.
HEC said such practices could create difficulties for graduates in degree attestation, equivalence, further education and employment. The commission directed all HEIs to submit program-wise and session-wise consolidated data of students enrolled in such ADPs.
The data must include the program title, mode of study, session or year of enrollment, number of enrolled students and number of graduates. Registrars and Controllers of Examinations must verify the information, while vice chancellors or heads of institutions must countersign it.
HEC clarified that institutions must not make any new admissions to ADPs offered through annual or private-candidate modes. Institutions that continue such admissions or offerings in violation of HEC policy could face regulatory action under applicable laws and regulations.
The commission also directed institutions to ensure that their admission advertisements, prospectuses and academic offerings comply with the HEC Undergraduate Education Policy.
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