MS, MPhil and PhD Programmes Face Nationwide HEC Review

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has initiated a comprehensive quality review of graduate programmes, including MS, MPhil and PhD degrees, across universities nationwide, aiming to address concerns over academic rigour and compliance with quality standards.

The decision follows a detailed briefing by the Quality Assurance Agency to the Executive Director HEC, highlighting serious gaps in the delivery and governance of graduate education. Particular concerns were raised over part time PhD programmes being offered without meeting essential academic and supervision benchmarks.

Despite the introduction of the Graduate Education Policy 2023 and extensive orientation and capacity building sessions conducted by HEC, issues related to supervision quality, research standards, governance and programme implementation persist in several higher education institutions.

Taking notice of these shortcomings, Executive Director HEC Prof. Dr. Zia-Ul-Haq directed an immediate sector-wide evaluation under the Programme Review for Enhancement and Effectiveness standards aligned with the Pakistan Precepts Standards and Guidelines.

HEC has already issued letters to selected universities as part of the first phase of the review. Dedicated teams will assess governance structures, research quality, supervision practices, student support systems, academic infrastructure and ethical compliance during the evaluation process.

“Ensuring the credibility and global competitiveness of Pakistan’s graduate education is our top priority,” Prof. Dr. Zia-Ul-Haq said, urging institutions to cooperate fully with the review.

HEC reaffirmed its commitment to aligning graduate education with national and international benchmarks, encouraging universities to take proactive measures to improve programme quality in the interest of students, research output and the higher education ecosystem.