HEC alters, simplifies degree verification process

With the aim to simplify degree verification process for university graduates, Higher Education Commission (HEC) has altered the Standard Operating Process (SOP) and it won't be asking for previous academic certificates while attesting and scrutinizing the degrees.

All degrees from HEC recognized institutes that offer relevant programs will be verified and attested, however, degrees from unrecognized colleges or universities that offer unauthorized subjects will be rejected by the HEC, local media reported.

“Every degree will be attested solely on its merits, whether it has been issued by a recognized institution and whether the institution has the legal authority to issue such degree,” said HEC in its recent notification.

According to HEC spokesperson Ayesha Ikram, Pakistani universities must have a filter before enrolling students. She said that this decision has been taken to simplify the process of verification and make it hassle-free for all the students. “Our basic purpose is to facilitate students and I don’t think there is any negative impact of this notification,” she said.

“We used to refuse verification of degrees because of minor reasons such as spelling mistakes on inter or matric certificates but now we have removed such hurdles,” Ikram added.

Earlier, the HEC did not use to verify and attest the degrees without going through all the previous documents of matric/O-level and intermediate/A-level. Those documents too needed to be approved by the relevant controlling authorities or boards of education.