Islamabad, October 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture recommended to approve “The University of Engineering and Emerging Technology Bill, 2020” with amendments in its 21st meeting held today at 11:30 a.m. in the Committee Room of Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Mian Najeeb Ud Din Awaisi, MNA.
While briefing, the Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC) apprised the Committee that earlier, this Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Science and Technology and the same has been referred to the Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture. She informed that the government has directed the HEC to initiate the case for establishment of a university in Islamabad with the focus on Engineering and Emerging Technologies. Accordingly, a draft bill of the proposed university was prepared in line with the Federal Universities Ordinance, 2002.
She said that being a public sector initiative for establishment of a university for imparting quality education in the field of engineering and emerging technologies, HEC recommends the instant case to an extent of processing of Act. The proposed university, upon promulgation of Act, shall be required to obtain NOC based on affirmative assessment by the Accreditation Committee of HEC in the light of Federal Cabinet Criteria for fulfilment of physical, academic and financial requirements before commencement of academic activities.
She also informed that the approval shall not be used as a precedent in any other case especially for enactment of charter of private sector universities/institutions. The HEC placed amendments before the Standing Committee and the Committee recommended that the Bill may be passed by the National Assembly with amendments. However, the opposition Members opposed the Bill and submitted a Note of Dissent.
The Committee also recommended to approve “The Pakistan Global Institute Bill, 2021” (Government Bill). The Committee deferred the other Government Bills and a Private Member’s Bill, namely, “The Pakistan Institute of Education Bill, 2021”, “The Iqbal Academy Pakistan Bill, 2021” and “The NCS-Institute of Sciences Bill, 2021” (moved by Mr. James Iqbal, MNA) till its next meeting.
The Committee discussed the current Admission Policy in ICT Schools. The Director (Academic), Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) briefed that the children of residents of Islamabad Capital Territory, Children of Federal Government/Semi Government employees residing in Islamabad are eligible for admission with the location as close as possible to their residences. Priority is given to the residents of same Union Council/Sector whichever the case may be.
However, the Children belonging to same family are accorded preference for admission in the institutions where their brothers/sisters are already enrolled. She apprised that admission tests are conducted for admission to institutions where the number of applicants for admission exceeds intake capacity of the institution. The Committee directed the Ministry and FDE to coordinate with any of three Members from the Standing Committee to devise a policy for admissions in ICT Schools.
The Chairman, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) also briefed the Committee regarding working and performance of the FBISE. He informed the Committee about the functions/responsibilities, achievements, policy proposals for improving current examination system and future plans. The Committee appreciated the passion and efforts of Chairman FBISE for improving the proficiency of the institution.
Besides the Parliamentary Secretary, Federal Education and Professional Training Division (Ms. Wajiha Qamar, MNA), the meeting was attended by Mr. Ali Nawaz Awan, Mr. Sadaqat Ali Khan Abbasi, Ms. Jawairia Zafar Aheer, Mr. Muhammad Farooq Azam Malik, Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, Ms. Andleeb Abbas, Ms. Ghazala Saifi, Mr. Asma Qadeer, Ms. Tashfeen Safdar, Ms. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Ch. Muhammad Hamid Hameed, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Mr. Abid Hussain Bhayo, Ms. Mussarat Rafiq Mahesar, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro and Mr. Asmatullah, Hon. MNAs attended the meeting. The senior officers from Federal Education and Professional Training Division, Ministry of Law and Justice, Higher Education Commission, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), and National Curriculum Council (NCC) were also present in the meeting.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk