HEC Asked to Cut Degree Attestation Delays for Students

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances on Friday asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to reduce the turnaround time for degree attestation, stating that the existing system is complicated and places an unnecessary financial burden on students.

The committee met under the chairpersonship of MNA Nuzhat Sadiq and reviewed the implementation report of an assurance given by the minister for education on the floor of the House regarding issues in degree attestation.

Members observed that the time taken from submission of an attestation application to its completion should be minimized.

The HEC chairman informed the committee that, in line with digital transformation efforts, a comprehensive, robust, and secure blockchain-based system is being developed to address these concerns.

He said the project is expected to be implemented before June 30, 2026. Initially, the system will link HEC with 25 universities and the Attestation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The committee also sought a joint presentation by HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the degree attestation process.

During the meeting, the committee also discussed the exclusion of newly introduced professional degrees, including business data analysis, from the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund fee reimbursement scheme.

The committee directed the Establishment Division to revise its rules to include all professional degrees recognized by HEC and relevant accreditation councils.

The secretary of the Establishment Division assured the committee that the rules would be amended accordingly to include newly introduced professional degrees in the reimbursement scheme.