The IPFP (Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs) Program was initiated by HEC in 2009, both to provide employment to fresh PhDs, and support universities in attracting qualified faculty. IPFP provides all Pakistani fresh PhD graduates an opportunity to be placed as Assistant Professors on a tenure track system for a period of one year. Under HEC rules, the host institutions are required to advertise corresponding faculty positions and afford an opportunity to IPFP scholars to compete for positions. Since 2009, HEC has placed around 4,300 fresh PhDs in the IPFP Programme in universities. A recent review of the program has shown that the program was successful in placing about three-quarters (74.64 per cent) of the participants in long-term faculty positions (in the same or other universities). Of the remaining one-quarter of the participants, about half dropped out before the conclusion of the program (presumably to pursue other career choices), while the other half have faced delays in finding suitable permanent positions.

            However, because of the increase in the number of PhD holders, there is growing demand for such interim opportunities. Meeting the expanded demand at current rates of remuneration would be unviable, especially under the current financial constraints. The financial crisis has also forced universities to cut down on recruitment of new faculty, which adds to the pressure.

            The challenge requires fresh thinking, including on the contours of the IPFP program. Accordingly, HEC has reviewed the IPFP policy, and proposed significant changes, both to be able to expand the size of the program within the existing budget, and to ensure that it helps support longer-term career plans of the participants

Announcements

1. Keeping in view current pandemic situation and to save the precious time of the applicants, National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) started online training from May 2020 that will be ended November/December 2020. The Cohorts have been devised in the light of results of applicants pre-assessments result.
2. So Far NAHE has trained and provided list of 326 successful IPFP Fellows in three Cohorts. Evaluation of Cohort IV is under process.
   
3. HEC has circulated the profiles of  326 IPFP Fellows among Public Sector Universities of Pakistan  who have  completed One  Month NAHE training successfully.
   
4.  HEC has processed the offer letter and forwarded to universities whose 'Consent forms have been received from the universities. 
5. HEC has processed and released the stipend of Cohort I & II participants. The stipend of Cohort-III is under process that will be received by the participants till First week of November 2020. 
   
6. HEC is issuing offer letter against valid consents forms received from universities and quarterly salary has also been released against the IPFP Fellows whose joining have been received.
   
7. NFDP training of cohort IV's IPFP fellows was completed and e-certificates were given to all successful fellows on October 26, 2020. 
8. NAHE has successfully trained 486 IPFP fellows in  four cohorts beginning from April till October. 
   
9. Salaries for the next quarterly instalment of IPFP fellows (who were placed after the receipt of their joining letter) have been processed for disbursement. 
10. NAHE is actively issuing offer letters against valid consent forms for cohort IV graduates.  
    
11. Stipend to attend training for cohort IV fellows has been processed and will be released soon. 
    
12. Information about IPFP Phase III application will be released in due time. We appreciate your patience in the meanwhile.
    
13. The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), HEC has completed trainings for IPFP Phase II. In this regard, applicants of IPFP Phase-II, who did not appear in the pre-assessment, taken on January 26, 2020 are advised to apply in the next cycle of IPFP in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out, as and when advertised.