| NTC to Formulate Recommendations for National Education Policy | NTC to Formulate Recommendations for National Education Policy | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, February 19, 2021: The National Technology Council (NTC) has decided to formulate recommendations regarding technology education and associated skills for assimilation in the upcoming national education policy. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This was decided in a virtual meeting of NTC, headed by Chairman NTC Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Gillani. A large number of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and technology experts attended the meeting. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">It was decided that a meeting will be held at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila in March, with Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice-Chancellor National Skills University (NSU), Islamabad in the chair to formulate the recommendations. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Addressing the meeting, Chairman NTC Mr. Gillani said that a joint committee of the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and NTC was developing a career path for creation of job opportunities for Engineering Technologists in the country. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The technology education experts highlighted the importance of technical education, stressing the need for integration of the NTC proposals in the national education policy being formulated by the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. In view of the government's deep interest in technology education and the emerging global demands, they stressed that technology and skill education must be on top of the government's agenda. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 19-02-2021 13:53:38 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/NTC-Education-Policy.aspx |
| NAHE holds Capacity Enhancement Session for IPFP Fellows | NAHE holds Capacity Enhancement Session for IPFP Fellows | <p>Islamabad, February 12, 2021: The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) on Thursday held a capacity enhancement session "Reflective Practice in Teaching and Learning" for Fellows of the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Programme (IPFP). Over 200 IPFP Fellows from higher education institutions across Pakistan attended the virtual workshop.</p><p>As the IPFP Fellows go through their placements at universities and institutions across Pakistan, NAHE intends to touch base with them, refresh parts of their learning through the National Faculty Development Programme and assess effectiveness of this Programme. To this end, NAHE collaborated with members of NFDP 2020 instructional team to conduct this session and draw reflections on the NFDP with successfully placed IPFP fellows.</p><p>The session was attended by Rector NAHE Dr. Shaheen Sardar Ali, Lead Consultant Fellowship and Academic Leadership Programme, NAHE, Dr. Shazia Awan, and Assistant Professor Dr. Sana Waheed. </p><p>Sessions like this are part of the continuing professional development approach adopted by NAHE. Fellows were given mini-workshops on reflective practice, teaching, student-centered learning, and learner-engagement in online classes.</p><p>During the event, fellows shared their unique experiences of working through a pandemic and navigating courses online. They also participated in learning activities and reflective sessions with Dr Shazia Awan (NAHE/Dalhousie University) and Dr Sana Waheed (NUST). One of the NFDP graduates reflected on how she relied on WhatsApp to conduct classes and learning activities and keep her students engaged. Fellows shared their stories of creativity and dedication. </p><p>Dr. Sana Waheed assured fellows that the NFDP has provided them with the tools they need to deliver student-centered learnings in their work; she further advised them to take a look, consult their network of IPFP fellows and adapt. Dr Shazia Awan took the participants through what it meant to be a reflective practitioner and how being one can help them think through the wider impact of their teaching practice. </p><p>In 2020, NAHE conducted a rigorous academic teaching course, the National Faculty Development Programme (NFDP), for almost 500 freshly graduated PhDs. The month-long course was designed to prepare NFDP Fellows for teaching and research duties required by their places of work under the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) programme.</p><p>The IPFP was launched in 2009 with the objective of providing opportunities for employment to selected fresh PhDs for one year as Assistant Professors against vacant TTS (Tenure Track System) positions in public or private universities. During the placement, the host universities are expected to advertise these positions and give equal opportunity to the IPFP faculty for securing permanent positions in BPS/TTS pay scales. The program also supports universities in attracting emerging scholars, reducing search costs and providing necessary experience to potential candidates. </p><p>NAHE is established as a stand-alone, autonomous institution operating under the auspices of HEC to improve the quality of teaching, research, and governance in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan. This series of workshops is one of multiple ongoing NAHE endeavors to facilitate capacity building of faculty in HEIs. </p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 13-02-2021 16:45:27 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/NAHE-IPFP-Fellows.aspx |
| HEC, USAID Celebrate 16 Years of Need-based Scholarship Programme | HEC, USAID Celebrate 16 Years of Need-based Scholarship Programme | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, February 3, 2021: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated the 16<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Programme (MNBSP), which is administered in partnership with the United States Government. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">In this connection, a virtual interactive session was held with the MNBSP scholarship recipients, in which the HEC and USAID also recognised the academic and professional achievements of the programme beneficiaries.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Under the MNBSP, over 5,300 scholarships have so far been awarded to students since the inception of this programme in 2004. More than half of the scholarships have been awarded to female students. The programme also trained over 400 financial aid staff from these partner institutions.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The MNBSP awards scholarships to study agriculture, engineering, medical sciences, and social sciences. Recipients are eligible to study at 30 private and public partner universities across the country.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Addressing the participants, Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri said that the HEC's vision and resultant endeavours are aimed to boost a trained and skilled human resource and to unleash the creative potential of Pakistani youth for developing a knowledge-based economy. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">"I am pleased to share that USAID has been our partner in achieving our goals. Most importantly, the programme is in consonance with the HEC's mission for provision of quality, affordable and accessible tertiary education to the youth." He hoped that the level of cooperation with USAID in higher education sector will continue. He assured the USAID that HEC will diligently continue to play its part in supporting all such future endeavours. He wished the MNBSP alumni and scholarship recipients success in their study as well as professional endeavours. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">In her remarks, Mission Director USAID Julie Koenen observed that: "Individuals make healthier, more economically advantageous life choices and are more likely to engage in their communities when they have access to the quality education." She said that the partnership with HEC for the past 16 years through the flagship MNBSP has opened opportunities for financially deserving students. She mentioned that 53% scholarships are awarded to females, thus increasing confidence and employability of young people from low-income settings. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">"I would also like to thank the leadership of Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, for its dedication and efforts in implementing the programme successfully for the past 16 years." </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The event also contained short remarks by six scholarship recipients, who described the challenges, as well as their personal and professional achievements. The event also included discussion on several themes, including the challenges and opportunities of women's education in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas; the importance of education in women's empowerment; and the USAID's role in supporting higher education in Pakistan. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 04-02-2021 06:59:46 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/HEC-USAID.aspx |