The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has introduced a new academic policy that allows students to pursue dual-degree and joint-degree programs across different universities, marking a significant shift in the country’s higher education framework.
Under this newly approved initiative, students will now have the flexibility to enroll in two separate degree programs at the same time, even if those programs belong to different academic disciplines. This means a student could, for example, study engineering alongside business administration or combine social sciences with technology-related fields, depending on eligibility and institutional approval.
In addition to dual-degree options, the policy also enables universities to establish joint-degree programs in collaboration with both local and international partner institutions. Through such arrangements, students may complete a portion of their studies at one university and transfer or continue their remaining coursework at another institution, including universities abroad. This approach is designed to broaden academic exposure and provide students with access to diverse teaching environments and research facilities.
HEC officials stated that the purpose of this initiative is to modernize Pakistan’s higher education system by introducing greater academic flexibility and aligning it with international standards. The policy is also expected to strengthen institutional partnerships between Pakistani universities and global academic institutions, encouraging student mobility and collaborative learning.
Education experts believe that the move could significantly enhance the quality of higher education in Pakistan by allowing students to develop interdisciplinary skills and gain international experience. It is also seen as a step toward improving employability, as graduates with diverse academic backgrounds and global exposure may have better career prospects in an increasingly competitive job market.
