HEC Decides to Introduce Competency Based Undergraduate Education in Universities Across the Country

According to official statement released by HEC on Tuesday states that; Higher education Commission of Pakistan has decided to introduce competency based undergraduate level education in Pakistan. The statement revealed by HEC further added that, in this regard, HEC had carried out all-encompassing consultations along with more than 1,000 persons from 143 Universities in Pakistan on the steps required for the success of students. This consultation result in the restoring of the undergraduate curriculum and introduction of “competency-based education” at all universities as well as affiliated colleges across the country.

Statement of HEC’s Chairperson

Basically the abilities are defined as combinations of knowledge, skills, behavior, as well as interpersonal traits of the aspirants that allow them to succeed in their future life. In this regard, the chairperson of HEC stated that, “Universities had to work in such a way increases the chances of success, particularly through undergraduate degree programmes, which is considered as lead of any higher education system. But actually this has not been the case. The major and the main cause is that in the past very little attention has been given to this question, and thus to the constituent and quality of university education.”

He also added that the new system introduced by HEC now clearly based on proficiencies, i.e., the contributing factor of future student success, and also designed to make sure that educational programmes adapt themselves to the future requirements of aspirants. Undoubtedly, this change will have a lasting positive impact on the educational accomplishments and future success. He said that the new system will be implemented from the upcoming new academic session.

New Curriculum vs. Old Curriculum

The statement released by Commission further stated that old core curriculum did not deliver the important 21st century abilities like critical and creative thinking, problem solving, effective communication, quantitative study, teamup work, or various research methods to the students of Pakistan.

Now, this innovative curriculum is designed particularly designed develop these skills along with interpersonal and social characteristics in Pakistan students. The most important thing about new curriculum is that it particular pays attention on applying the developed knowledge and skills to challenges of life, instead of just getting theory based education. The new syllabus stresses on survey, curiosity, discovery, as well as inventiveness among aspirants.

The working in this regard has already been started together with the changed curriculum. The National Academy of Higher Education has been set up to put in their efforts in valuable teaching techniques. The Quality Assurance Agency is now set up to update the omission of quality improvement.

Mandatory Courses For Students To Study in Earlier Semesters

The academic module of this curriculum strives for balancing the generalization and specialization. In the earlier semesters, all the aspirants will be required to complete General Education courses in the major fields of human study, i.e., Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, Expository Writing, Pakistan Studies as well as Islamic Studies.

Implementation of Framework to All Undergraduate Programmes

This newly introduced context will be applicable to all undergraduate degrees, including the 4 years Bachelor Studies degree (BS), other professional degrees like MBBS, B.E., LLB, etc, and it will also be applicable to other 2 years Associate Degree programs. The details may be different for different programs however, the overall structure will be the same.

Switch Between Undergraduate Degree Programmes

In this innovative system, the aspirants will be permitted to switch between the degree programmes. For example, an aspirant admitted to 4-years BS degree programme can exit after the completion of 2-years associate degree programme while the aspirants admitted in 2-years associate degree programme may switch to 4-years Bachelor’s degree after achieving the credit requirements.