ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has instructed all universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEls) not to use title of “Doctor” in their BS degrees nomenclature without getting prior approval from respective National Curriculum Review Committees (NCRCs) constituted by NEC
A letter issued to Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Heads of HEls has revealed that some of the universities and HEls are offering undergraduate degree programmes with title of Doctor in their nomenclature without taking approval from NCRCs which is misleading the students, their parents and employers at large who request NEC for clarifications.
“All the universities/HEls are hereby directed to stop further admissions in such programmes and withdraw their advertisements in newspapers as well as on their websites and social media platforms with immediate effect,” the letter underlined.
The letter mentioned few degree titles as Doctor of Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Imaging Doctor, etc. which will not be recognized by HEC, whereas HEC has approved curriculum and nomenclature of the degree title, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a five-year degree programme. These curricula can only be taught in those universities which have relevant faculty, infrastructure, required labs and attached hospitals for clinical practices.
The letter further stated that HEC expects universities to pay utmost attention and conscious efforts in ensuring complete observance of all applicable standards for providing quality education to students.
“It is earnestly directed to refrain from offering such programmes which lead to ambiguity, false presumptions and confusion for students, their parents and employers”, the letter read.
