The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has recently released a list of illegal and non-recognized campuses of universities and higher education institutions in the country. According to HEC, degrees obtained from these institutions will not be recognized by the commission. It is therefore advised that students avoid seeking admission to these institutions to ensure the validity of their degrees.
Recognition of Degrees by HEC
HEC is responsible for recognizing degrees from chartered universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) in both the public and private sectors of Pakistan. This recognition extends to approved campuses specified on the HEC website. Affiliation of colleges with public sector universities can be confirmed by the respective universities, while private sector HEIs are only allowed to operate through their accredited main campuses and accredited campus/sub-campuses with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from HEC.
Warning Against Fake and Unrecognized Universities
Students, parents, and the general public are advised to exercise caution and refrain from enrolling in any fake, illegal, or unrecognized institutions. HEC has identified and published a list of such institutions on its website. Any campus, college, branch, or outpost established without the approval of HEC and not listed on their website should be considered illegal and unrecognized. Degrees obtained from such institutions will not be recognized by HEC.
HEC Recognized Universities and Campuses
HEC provides a list of 247 recognized universities in Pakistan on its website at https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/universities/Pages/AJK/Illegal-DAIs.aspx. Additionally, the commission offers a list of sub-campuses of both government and private universities on the page.
Verification of Recognition Status
It is strongly advised, in the best interest of the public and students’ future, to verify the recognition status of a university, institution, or campus from the HEC website or regional offices before seeking admission. Institutions that are not listed as recognized by HEC should be considered fake, illegal, and unrecognized. Degrees obtained from such institutions will not be recognized by HEC.
Caution for Admission Seekers
As the admission season approaches, students and parents are cautioned to verify the legal status of universities, institutions, and their campuses, including transnational education providers, from the links provided above. Additionally, the status of affiliated colleges can be confirmed with respective public sector universities or institutions as well as HEC. It is crucial to avoid seeking admission in institutions not listed on the HEC website in the recognized list of universities, institutions, and campuses, as degrees from unrecognized and unlawful institutions will not be recognized by HEC.
