HEC warns students against taking admissions in these degree programmes

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan issued an alert warning students against enrolling in two-year degree programs, such as the BA/BSc and MA/MSc, which have been phased out since the 2019 academic year. This alert was posted on HEC's official Instagram account and serves as a critical reminder to avoid these programs as they are no longer recognized or attested by the HEC.

Key details from the alert include:

1. **Phased Out Programs**: The two-year BA/BSc and MA/MSc programs were officially phased out with extended deadlines, ending in the academic year 2019 and June 30, 2022. 

2. **Non-Recognition of Degrees**: Degrees obtained from these phased-out programs will not qualify for recognition and attestation by HEC. Students and stakeholders are advised to avoid enrolling in such programs to ensure their degrees are valid and recognized.

3. **Compliance Issues**: Despite HEC's directives, some higher education institutions continued to admit students into these programs beyond the specified deadlines. This non-compliance has led to the need for the HEC's warning.

4. **Purpose of Phasing Out**: The decision to abolish the two-year degree programs was made in 2004 to improve the quality of education and align Pakistani degree programs with international standards. Institutions were given until 2016 to transition out of these programs.

5. **Associate Degree Programs**: As an alternative to the two-year BA/BSc programs, HEC introduced two-year associate degree programs. These programs are equivalent to 14 years of education and allow graduates to enter the fifth semester of a four-year BS program, thereby providing a pathway to complete a bachelor's degree.

The HEC's alert emphasizes the importance of adhering to recognized educational standards and ensuring that students' academic qualifications are valid and internationally competitive.