ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the fiscal budget for the year 2019-20, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to discontinue funds to new public universities.
HEC had asked for annual funding of Rs 103.5 billion. However, the federal government has only allocated Rs.59 billion for the next fiscal year. The Rs 59 billion in question are marked for a non-development grant according to HEC sources.
In conversation with Express Tribune, Dr Tariq Banuri confirmed that no funding will be provided to new universities. According to Dr Banuri, due to fiscal tightening, financial resources are already short for existing universities under the HEC's ambit. Therefore, it would not be possible to set aside funds for new universities.
The new public universities in question which require HEC funding are spread all across the country, four of them located in Sindh.
Dr Parveen Munshi, who is the Vice Chancellor of Sufism University and also looks after Begum Nusrat Bhutto University, expressed displeasure over HEC's recent move. While talking to Express Tribune, Dr Munshi acknowledged the provision of NOC for admission without no federal grant.
Dr Banuri talking to Express Tribune stated,
“We have asked the VCs of public universities to increase fees to fill the budget deficit while also banning new hiring,”.
Knowledge Economy
PM’s Task Force on Science And Technology Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman justified the funds for "Knowledge Economy".
Dr Rehman believes that multiple projects including industry, agriculture, technology, education, etc are linked with the said project.
HEC had asked for annual funding of Rs 103.5 billion. However, the federal government has only allocated Rs.59 billion for the next fiscal year. The Rs 59 billion in question are marked for a non-development grant according to HEC sources.
In conversation with Express Tribune, Dr Tariq Banuri confirmed that no funding will be provided to new universities. According to Dr Banuri, due to fiscal tightening, financial resources are already short for existing universities under the HEC's ambit. Therefore, it would not be possible to set aside funds for new universities.
The new public universities in question which require HEC funding are spread all across the country, four of them located in Sindh.
Dr Parveen Munshi, who is the Vice Chancellor of Sufism University and also looks after Begum Nusrat Bhutto University, expressed displeasure over HEC's recent move. While talking to Express Tribune, Dr Munshi acknowledged the provision of NOC for admission without no federal grant.
Dr Banuri talking to Express Tribune stated,
“We have asked the VCs of public universities to increase fees to fill the budget deficit while also banning new hiring,”.
Knowledge Economy
PM’s Task Force on Science And Technology Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman justified the funds for "Knowledge Economy".
Dr Rehman believes that multiple projects including industry, agriculture, technology, education, etc are linked with the said project.