A falling trend in engineering admissions has led the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) to authorize the entrance of students with FSc pre-medical backgrounds into BS Engineering programs. Before being eligible for admission, these students must finish an eight-week accelerated course covering topics like mathematics that they are lacking.
Engineering universities used to produce over 30,000 engineers a year, but admissions have decreased by nearly 10,000 in a single year, with some universities even abandoning their engineering departments for lack of enrollment, according to PEC Registrar Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan. PEC has made the decision to admit pre-medical students into engineering programs in an effort to draw them in.
Following discussions with specialists and vice-chancellors, this conclusion was made. Dr. Khan emphasized the value of engineering to the nation’s development and listed policies that assist the field, such as paid training courses and STEM instruction in schools.
The PEC governing body agreed at its 49th meeting on June 28 to allow students with a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) in pre-medical to apply for all engineering programs in accordance with PEC regulations. This decision was stated in a letter dated July 11 and delivered to the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Universities that wish to admit these students must abide by new regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
As per the PEC standards, entry exam procedures will be moderated to integrate the new qualifications. Additionally, an eight-week program will be ensured to address courses that are lacking, such as mathematics. Through an entrance exam, students who complete this program are eligible for full admission to foundation courses, which are served as provisional admission.
Universities are in charge of creating and preserving this streamlined curriculum’s caliber. Pre-medical students who successfully complete the shortened course may be awarded up to 40% of the seats available in each engineering program. To assess their merit for admission, these students will thereafter take an additional entrance exam.
The letter further states that, in accordance with PEC laws, universities may modify their admission cycles and that, in order to be admitted into engineering programs, applicants must have at least 60% of their HSSC results.
The PEC is processing regulatory modifications and will provide updates shortly. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) intends to investigate this issue in the interim. An HEC representative acknowledged receiving the PEC’s letter and said they would deal with the matter on Monday.
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