Quality Assurance Practices by Dr. Shahid Munir

Federal Allocation to HEC (Recurring)

• In FY 2014-15, the federal allocation to HEC (Recurring) was $1,000 million, equivalent to Rs. 90,000 million.
• The allocation decreased to 900million(Rs.77,123million)inFY2015−16andfurtherto900 million (Rs. 77,123 million) in FY 2015-16 and further to 900million(Rs.77,123million)inFY2015−16andfurtherto800 million (Rs. 65,519 million) in FY 2016-17.
• In FY 2017-18, the allocation was $782 million (Rs. 64,100 million), and it continued to decrease in subsequent years.

Federal Recurring Grant as Percentage of GDP

• In FY 2014-15, the federal recurring grant was 0.60% of the GDP, equivalent to Rs. 80 billion.
• The ratio decreased to 0.50% (Rs. 64 billion) in FY 2015-16 and further to 0.40% (Rs. 48 billion) in FY 2016-17.
• The trend continued, with the ratio decreasing to 0.30% (Rs. 40 billion) in FY 2017-18 and 0.20% (Rs. 20 billion) in FY 2018-19.

Average Grant Per Student and Cost Per Student

• In FY 2014-15, the average grant per student was Rs. 300,000, and the average cost per student was Rs. 245,492.
• In FY 2015-16, the average grant per student was Rs. 250,000, and the average cost per student was Rs. 210,273.
• The average grant per student decreased to Rs. 200,000 in FY 2016-17, and the average cost per student was Rs. 184,810.

GDP % on Education (including HE)

• In FY 2014-15, the GDP % on education (including HE) was 8.00%.
• The percentage decreased to 7.00% in FY 2015-16 and further to 6.00% in FY 2016-17.
• The trend continued, with the percentage decreasing to 5.00% in FY 2017-18 and 4.00% in FY 2018-19.

Shortfall in Recurring Allocation (FY 2015-16 to FY 2023-24)

• There was a shortfall of Rs. 9.00 billion (15% of the demand) in FY 2015-16.
• The shortfall increased to Rs. 17.00 billion (21% of the demand) in FY 2017-18 and further to Rs. 38.95 billion (37% of the demand) in FY 2022-23.

Punjab Education Sector Budget 2023-24

• The total budget outlay for Punjab education sector is Rs. 1719.3 billion, covering the months of July to October 2023.
• Rs. 195 billion has been allocated for education, which is 11% of the total budget.
• Rs. 69.083 billion has been allocated for higher education, which is 3% of the total budget.

State of Higher Education in Punjab

• There are 50 public sector universities and 36 private sector universities in Punjab.
• The total enrollment in public sector universities is 495,094, with 77% of the students being male.
• The total enrollment in private sector universities is 147,245, with 23% of the students being male.

Department Wise Detail of Public Sector Universities in Punjab

• The largest number of public sector universities is in the department of Health (35), followed by Agriculture (34), and Industries (30).

Top Universities in the Punjab (QS World Ranking 2024)

• Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is ranked 540 in the QS World Ranking 2024.
• University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, is ranked 741-750 in the QS World Ranking 2024.
• University of the Punjab, Lahore, is ranked 741-750 in the QS World Ranking 2024.

Top Universities in the Punjab (THE World University Ranking 2024)

• University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila, is ranked 601-800 in the THE World University Ranking 2024.
• Government College University, Faisalabad, is ranked 601-800 in the THE World University Ranking 2024.
• University of Lahore is ranked 801-1000 in the THE World University Ranking 2024.

University-Industry Linkage

• Measures to strengthen university-industry linkage include the inclusion of industrial/business professionals in the Board of Studies, outcome-based learning, thesis fairs, and the creation of a directorate of external linkages.

Curriculum

• The curriculum should be market-based, integrate technology, and enhance learning outcomes.
• The curriculum should be globalized and internationalized to address complex real-world problems.

College-University Culture & Quality Assurance

• Public sector colleges should be designated as constituent colleges of universities within the same district or division, with the university having total administrative and academic control.
• Strengthening the college-university culture will help improve quality assurance.### Benefits of Higher Education
• Access to university resources and government funding
• Improved curriculum and academic programs
• Industry collaborations and research opportunities
• Quality assurance and faculty development
• Improved career prospects

Overview of PHEC

• Established under the Punjab Higher Education Commission Act 2014
• Mission: to improve the quality of higher education and research in Punjab

Powers and Functions of PHEC

• Coordinate with Higher Education Commission in a result-oriented manner
• Formulate guidelines and recommend policies for public and private institutions
• Prescribe guidelines and conditions for institutions offering qualifications in higher education sector
• Monitor and evaluate performance of institutions and conduct accreditation
• Ensure good governance and management of institutions
• Assist and advise the Government in quality enhancement and quality assurance of colleges
• Conduct third-party performance audits of higher education institutions and provide results for corrective measures
• Rank higher education institutions in Punjab
• Submit grant-in-aid requirements of institutions to the Government
• Allocate funds to public sector institutions based on performance and need
• Advise institutions on raising funds from sources other than the Government
• Support linkages between institutions and industry, national and international organizations
• Facilitate introduction of market-relevant educational and training programs
• Ensure imparting of marketable education and skills, and promote self-employment
• Advise institutions on balancing teaching and research
• Develop faculty development programs for improving teaching and research quality
• Facilitate implementation of quality assurance systems based on HEC standards
• Encourage and support training programs, workshops, and symposia
• Prepare plans for higher education development in consultation with institutions
• Promote formal links between institutions for effective use of expertise and equipment
• Allocate funds for fellowships, scholarships, travel, and research grants
• Establish endowment funds for higher education with contributions from the Government and non-governmental sources
• Collect information and statistics on higher education and institutions
• Set up committees of experts to advise on PHEC affairs
• Advise institutions on framing subordinate legislation
• Perform other functions prescribed or incidental to the above functions