35 universities established during last 5 years

ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed on Thursday that Higher Education Commission has received thirteen new proposals for establishment of universities and degree awarding institutions across the country.

Minister of State for Education and Professional Training, Baligur Rehman told the House during question hour that of them seven are in private and six in the public sector. He said thirty five universities have been established during the last five years. They included two in the federal capital, thirteen in Punjab, nine in Sindh, seven in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and three in AJK and one in Balochistan. He said the federal government is upgrading national Institute of Science and Technical Education Islamabad to National Skills University of Science and Technology to offer carrier oriented programmes on a research based curriculum.

The Minister of State said guidelines have been given to universities and degree awarding institutions to initiate Associate Degree Programme in thirty seven pre-defined market driven subjects. To another question, the Minister of State said 5,536 Ph.D degrees were awarded by the universities during the last five years. In addition 25,812 fresh students were enrolled in Ph.D programme and 2,265 Ph.D degree holders have been provided employment in the universities.