The PEC’s decision to allow ‘Change of Scope’ within two years of Habib University’s operations is unprecedented for a new institution
HABIB UNIVERSITY: The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the apex body for regulation and accreditation of all degree-awarding engineering colleges and universities in Pakistan, has given approval to Habib University to double its intake of electrical engineering students.
The PEC governs the licensing and registration of all engineers and consulting engineers trained in Pakistan. It also acts as a policy consultant to the federal government and establishes the scientific standards for engineering innovations in Pakistan.
Following a Zero Visit – the first inspection conducted by the PEC of any new institution – the Council had allowed Habib University to initially induct 40 students in its Electrical Engineering program. After extraordinary growth in the University’s faculty and other teaching resources, the PEC conducted an Interim Visit in February 2016, following which the University applied for a ‘Change of Scope’ to expand its student intake. After a visit on August 5, 2016, the Council’s representatives expressed satisfaction with HU’s available facilities, and allowed the intake of students to be doubled to 80 starting from Fall 2016.
The PEC’s decision to allow the ‘Change of Scope’ for an institution that has been operational for only two years is unprecedented and a testament to the commitment of HU to providing world-class engineering programs to Pakistani students. It should be noted that the PEC does not make any allowances without being satisfied with an institution’s resources and teaching programs.
Habib University is acting on the recommendations made by PEC representatives during their visit to receive full accreditation, due next year, as smoothly as possible. It is worth mentioning that the PEC provides full accreditation to any institution only when the first batch of students is ready to graduate. Given the recent developments, HU is hopeful of receiving the PEC’s accreditation without difficulty next year.
