The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has implemented a stringent rule as part of the Affiliation Policy 2024 for universities and degree-awarding institutions.
Under the Affiliation Policy 2024, universities or degree-awarding institutions are now required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the HEC before affiliating with public or private colleges.
In addition, HEC has mandated desk reviews for previously affiliated colleges to ensure compliance with affiliation standards. Universities must provide essential information about their existing affiliated colleges through the HEC portal.
Also Read: FBISE announces HSSCII annual results 2023; Check results here
Strict actions will be taken against educational institutions that fail to comply with the new policy, including the refusal to attest degrees and other disciplinary measures. Violation of the policy may lead to a ban on affiliating colleges. The commission has also announced that it will not recognize degrees or documents of students enrolled in violation of its policies.
As outlined in the policy draft, universities are prohibited from affiliating new programs to colleges unless these programs have been operational within the university for a minimum of five years.
HEC has introduced an online portal to facilitate the effective implementation of the new policy. Universities are required to submit details about their new and existing affiliated colleges through this portal. The information will undergo review by the HEC Review Desk. It is noteworthy that the new policy comes almost a year after the commission halted public sector universities from granting new affiliations to colleges.
