The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has announced its new policy for Ph.D. admissions; under which students can apply for Ph.D. directly after four years of the BS program.
The 12-page HEC policy document, applicable from January 1, 2021, reads that a BS degree, or equivalent; will be the minimum criteria for Ph.D. admission.
The maximum duration of a Ph.D. degree will eight years, with the minimum being three years. Similarly, the proposed policy said the previous qualification in the same discipline; shall not be required for admission to the Ph.D. program.
According to a new policy, a student pursuing a Ph.D. will have to take up a course load of 48 credit hours.
The policy states that in case of non-implementation or violation; action can initiate such as “warning to universities, suspension of admissions, suspension or revocation of NOC for admissions, public alert and non-verification of credentials”.
Meanwhile, HEC has not yet issued an official notification on the implementation of the policy.
The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has expressed reservations; on the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) revised policy of Ph.D. admissions that suggests admission to the Ph.D. program after the undergraduate degree.
President FAPUASA, Central Dr. Sohail Yousaf also rejected HEC’s revised Ph.D. admission policy.