The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed universities to ensure quality and refrain from enrolling students more than twice in an academic year.
In a letter issued to vice chancellors, rectors and directors of all public and private universities, the HEC expressed its concern that certain universities announced admissions and admitted students three to four times a year and even enrolled fresh students in the summer programmes which were meant only for improvement of courses and fulfillment of deficiency.
`As per policy, any educational institute can admit students maximum twice in one academic year spring and fall sessions. It is neither allowed as per policy nor administratively and physically viable to run more than two academic sessions in one year,` the letter explained.
It advised all the universities to refrain from enrolling students more than twice in an academic year, rather advertise and enroll students in Spring and Fall sessions as per the HEC semester system guidelines.
Referring to financial regulations, the HEC advised the universities to maintain proper and dedicated bank accounts.
The letter also pointed out that many universities had been issuing academic transcripts to students from its principal seats without mentioning the actual place of study from where the students had completed their educational progress.
`All transcripts must reflect the actual place of study of the students accurately to save the students from inconvenience during their degree verification process.
Speaking to Dawn, HEC spokesperson Aayesha Ikram said there were complaints that universities had been enrolling students more than twice in a year which was a violation of the HEC guidelines.
`In the letter, the HEC also issued some other directives for bringing improvement to the higher education learning institutions, she said.
