Approved HEC Policy for Foreign Collaboration 

There are two types of institutions operating in collaboration with foreign universities offering foreign degrees in Pakistan.

1)            The institutions having the curriculum, scheme of study materials, examinations papers set & assessment of answer sheets as well as declaration of results done by the franchising university. For this type of institutions, the following criteria for recognition of degrees were agreed:

a.     Physical infrastructure exists at the offshore campus to conduct the degree programme in conducive atmosphere. Ownership of the premises not required.

b.    That the degree is awarded by an accredited university recognized by Higher Education Commission.

c.     That the parent university has approval to run distance learning/collaborative degree programmes approved from the home countries accrediting bodies.

d.    That the degree awarded through offshore Institution is not different from the degrees awarded to resident students.

e.    The syllabus and scheme of studies for students at offshore campuses are identical to the course contents of the on campus programmes. Any discrepancy needs to be evaluated by Inspection Committee to be appointed by HEC.

f.      Students of offshore campuses  will be enrolled in the main campus (Parent University) and an agreement to this effect between local institution and the parent university must contain a clause that in case student/s are unable to continue with distance learning degree programme, suitable safeguards are built in for these students to continue their studies elsewhere.

g.    Examinations are set by Parent University and evaluated by the parent university and results are declared by them.

h.    Support facilities like library, laboratory, internet required for the degree programmes are available. Facilities for recreational/co-curricular activities should also be made available.

i.      Permission to run the collaborative degree programme will be granted separately for each physical location where the programme is to be conducted.

j.      The permission will be granted initially for three years on fulfillment of required infrastructure to be ascertained through an Inspection Committee of HEC. The inspection of the facilities will be carried out subsequently after every 5 years.

k.     The institutions failing to develop infrastructure of desired level would be liable to cancellation of accreditation by HEC. 

2)            The institutions carrying out collaborative degree programmes with foreign universities which are offering foreign degrees through arrangements wherein the curricula of foreign universities are taught, assessed and evaluated locally and final results are send to foreign affiliating university for issue of degrees, the parameters set-forth hereunder and approved in 1^st meeting of Equivalence & Accreditation Committee will apply:

a)            Top ranked universities in the world may be allowed to run their degree programmes in Pakistan without imposing any condition in collaboration with Pakistani partners, but after completing the legal and procedural requirements To elaborate his point of contention, the Chairman stated that since such high profile universities/institutions are more concerned about the reputation of their degrees world over, they will themselves maintain and monitor the required parameters for imparting quality education.

b)            Universities with good academic standing and reputation be clearly identified and allowed to run collaborative degree programmes in Pakistan after fulfilling the mandatory legal, procedural, constitutional requirements as prescribed by the Higher Education Commission. They may be allowed to operate in Pakistan after meeting the financial requirements on account of Endowment Fund, Tangible Assets & Working Capital as laid here under:

 

Endowment Fund (Secured in the name of Trust/Society	Rs. 5.00 million
Tangible Assets in the form of land/building etc.	Rs.10.00 million
Working Capital	Rs.05.00 million
Total	Rs.20.00 million

       Possession of land for built up infrastructure                           4 Kanals

c)         All other accredited foreign universities, desirous of collaborating with Pakistani partners may enter into an agreement for collaborative degree programmes or those who want to have franchising arrangements with Pakistani institutions, the sponsors will be required to fulfill all the pre-requisites as specified for a degree awarding institute in the guidelines/criteria for establishment of a university/degree awarding institute as approved by the Federal Cabinet in its meeting 27^th February, 2002. The requirements to be met in full are:

Endowment Fund (Secured in the name of Trust/Society	Rs.15.00 million
Tangible Assets in the form of land/building etc.	Rs. 25.00 million
Working Capital	Rs. 10.00 million
Total	Rs. 50.00 million

Further, in order to safeguard the interests of students and the community, the following may also be ensured before grant of permission to conduct degree programme:

i)      No institution shall be allowed to conduct course of studies in anticipation of NOC and execution of formal agreement.

ii)     The agreement shall be executed in Pakistan in accordance with Pakistani laws.

iii)    No arbitration clause shall be included in the agreement and in case of litigation if any, the jurisdiction shall be a court in Pakistan.

iv)   Adequate amount in Endowment Fund is to be provided to meet the liabilities of students or other stakeholders, in case of termination/failure of collaboration.

v)    The withdrawal of amounts from Endowmnt Fund shall be with the prior permission of the Chairman, Higher Education Commission.