Universities Get Deadline to Verify Teachers and Staff Degrees From HEC

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed all universities in the province, including Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Larkana, to have the academic credentials of their faculty and staff verified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to prevent the employment of individuals with fraudulent degrees.

The directive was issued during a PAC meeting held under the chairmanship of Nisar Khuhro. The committee reviewed audit reports for SMBBMU Larkana for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, as well as for Dawood University of Engineering and Technology.

During the session, the Director General Audit Sindh raised concerns about appointments made without prior HEC degree verification. In response, Dr. Nusrat Shah explained that degrees such as MBBS and BDS were verified through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), with certification issued accordingly, and that HEC verification is carried out when required.

Dr. Shah also revealed that during the verification process, one employee’s degree could not be authenticated, resulting in their dismissal.

The PAC has now mandated all universities in Sindh to complete HEC verification of staff and faculty degrees within one month and submit a compliance report. Any individuals whose degrees cannot be verified are to be immediately removed from their positions.

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Chairman Nisar Khuhro stressed that the appointment of individuals with fake qualifications will not be accepted in any educational institution across the province.

The meeting was attended by SMBBMU VC Dr. Nusrat Shah, Dawood Engineering University VC Dr. Samreen Hussain, and other relevant officials.