HEC to get Rs 4.7b development budget

Islamabad, The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is going to get Rs4.7 billion development budget through the Planning Commission.

An officer in the HEC on the condition of privacy told that during last two months the commission and the ministry of education and training (MET) were discussing the status of the HEC.

The ministry wanted the HEC under its control but the commission is of the view that its autonomous status cannot be challenged.
Due to the issue, not only routine activities at the HEC were disturbed but also funds could not be released to it for two months. As a result, a large number of students have been waiting for their scholarships, he said.

But after the appointment of Secretary MET Qamar Zaman as the executive director of the HEC last week, the ministry also used its effect to get the funds released to create a positive impression among the employees of the HEC and students, he said.

According to sources, the Planning Commission released the Rs4.7 billion development budget on December 6.

As scholarships are paid through the development budget, it seems the issues of the students would be resolved for the time being.
Another officer in the HEC said each student studying abroad had to be paid $1,200 every month. As most of them belonged to the middle and lower middle class, in case of delay in release of the scholarship, they have no other option but to seek help from other people.

This not only shakes the image of Pakistan abroad but also forces many of the students to quit studies. Some also delayed their semesters because of the unavailability of funds,” he said.

Even if the funds have been released for the projection of the new management, the HEC administration should ensure timely release of the scholarships to the students, he added.