Scholarship schemes
HEC had completed 13 scholarship schemes while same numbers of programs are ongoing that contains around 28000 scholarships. Around 18000 scholarships have already been awarded and the rest 10,000 will be awarded. Beside this the phases-II of Fulbright program for 550 MS and 266 PhD and Phase-III of Overseas Scholarship Program for 2000 foreign MS leading to PhD scholarships were be launched in 2015-16.
Modern equipment
The HEC is also focusing to equip the universities and students with latest equipment. Almost all programs for strengthening of universities have provision of modern equipment. For students, under the PM scheme 100,000 laptops have been provided to talented students
Research and development
The HEC has been adopting a wholesome approach to ensure sustainable and progressive research culture in higher education institutions, ranging from personal development to strengthening of universities through capacity development of human resource, exposure of faculty and researchers to international academia by establishing linkages with foreign universities, strengthening of research and teaching labs, and development of research incubators. Due to this, the research activities have enhanced in the public sector institutions resulting in more than 6 folds increase in research articles published in impact factor journals. Streamlined research, generated by strategic academic processes that build strong societies and economies has now entered a takeoff phase of commercialization. Business and Technology Incubators are being established in universities across Pakistan to promote university-industry collaboration. In order to sustain the trend and to expand the horizon of research activities in HEIs while reaping the benefits of research in real term of community impact and research commercialization, HEC focused on research activities those have direct impact on community wellbeing and economy of the country. About 30-32 per cent of the development funds have been allocated for provision of latest teaching and research lab equipment to expand and enhance the R&D infrastructure of the universities.
International Linkages: Under Pak-US Joint Academic and Research Project, 78 Pak-US linkages of three years duration were established in six phases out of which 38 projects have been completed.
National Research Grants:
During the year 2016 one hundred ninety fife national research projects were funded under National Research Program for Universities with the maximum duration of three years. HEC spent 490 million on these projects.
Seminars/Conferences
HEC is spending huge amounts on conducting conferences and seminars to promote education via exchange of views and fresh ideas to boost up the educational standards.
Infrastructure development
Every project undertaken for either strengthening of old universities or establishing of new universities contains a major component of infrastructure development. Planning Commission is very keen in the designing and outlook of the faηade and elevation of the buildings. A policy has been adopted where universities must develop the signature campuses matching with the local cultural heritage and their old historical buildings.
Programs
The HEC will continue to evaluate, improve and promote higher education by providing policies guidelines, improving standards and making investments for infrastructure and human resource development in Pakistan. Increasing the accessibility to higher education will be the main focus. Human resource development will continue through implementation of a number of initiatives like award of scholarships, provision of ICT infrastructure, state of the art Labs, laptops etc.
Technology Development Fund for the HEC scholars returning from abroad
Since inception of the HEC, millions of rupees have been spent on the human resource development as a result thousands of PhD scholars have returned to the country. Now it is time to ask for the return on investment, therefore, government has set aside funds to help the industrial sector. A project titled Establishment of Technology Development Fund for HEC scholars returning after completion of PhD to introduce new technologies application in Pakistan has been proposed at a cost of Rs5 billion. Establishment of new universities
University of Sibi, Balochistan
Establishment of AJ&K Women University, Bagh, AJ & K
Establishment of University of Baltistan
Establishment of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan
Establishment of FATA University
Strengthening of universities/ degree awarding institutions
Besides ongoing projects, several new activities for the strengthening of universities/ degree awarding institutions will be undertaken. Following are the new initiatives which will be funded afresh in PSDP 2015-16.
Development of Fatima Jinnah Women University, Campus-II, Rawalpindi
Establishment of National Science & Technology Park at Central Campus Islamabad
Up gradation of National Institute of Science & Technical Education (NISTE) Islamabad into Skill University
Strengthening & Expansion of Baluchistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences, Quetta
Establishment of sub campus of Baluchistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences, Quetta at Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah
Innovation Centre and Software Park at UET Sub-Campus Lahore
Establishment of Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation University, to name only a few.
Source: csstimes
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