HEC abolishes 2-year BA, MA programmes

After raising minimum qualification for teachers' appointment in universities and degree awarding institutions, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced phasing out 2-year BA/BSc and 2-year MA/MSc programmes from academic years 2018 and 2020, respectively. The HEC, in a circular sent to all universities across Pakistan, stated that decision was made after thorough deliberation and that no university will offer 2 years-duration degree for BA, BSc, MA and MSc.
The HEC said that a committee of experts from different universities, constituted by HEC has devised a mechanism to accommodate existing BA/BSc students into 4-year BS programmes. After analyzing BA/BSc progrmmes of different universities, the Committee proposed a bridging semester as a foundation for such students to enter fifth semester of a 4-year programme, after which they can complete remaining four semesters in years to attain BS degree.
However, if a student opts to exit after two years, he/she will be awarded a two-year Associate Degree. Moreover, there will be no admission in BA, BSc programmes after 2018 and MA, MSc programmes after academic year 2020. In this regard, a notification has been issued to all the institutions concerned so that the students are not affected by any sudden move, and universities and colleges gradually adapt to the new scheme of studies.
The HEC said that move was made primarily due to the fact that most of universities in Pakistan offer 4-year BS and BSc (Hons) programmes, involving 16 years of education. However, others offer BA, BSc degrees involving 14 years of education. Further, there are some universities offering MS/M.Phil and MSc (Hons) with eighteen years of education, while others offer MA, MSc with 16 years of education.
The HEC said that to avoid any confusion among employers, national, international organizations and community as well, HEC decided to streamline the bachelor's and master's degrees. The Commission said that matter was taken up in a meeting of the "Commission" and was approved as a policy.
The Commission recently directed the universities and degree awarding institutions to ensure implementation of the Commission's decision to raise minimum qualification to 18 years of education, for appointment of lecturers. In a letter issued by HEC to Vice Chancellors and Rectors, they have been asked to ensure that minimum qualification for appointment of lecturer should be MPhil/MS or equivalent degree, ie, 18 years, or Masters from a foreign University. Deadline given for decision's implementation is June 30, 2017.
The universities which have already adopted and implemented the decision have been appreciated and advised to continue implementing the decision. Moreover, the HEC has also extended the cut-off date for raising minimum qualification of Assistant Professors in universities/degree awarding institutions to the level of PhD, to January 1, 2018.