Future of 3,000 Comsats dual degree programme students at stake

Islamabad
Student representatives on Wednesday demanded of the government to issue dual degrees to the Comsats students who have completed their studies under the dual degree programme.
Students from Comsats University held a press conference at the National Press Club to share the ordeal they are passing through these days. “Please stop calling our degrees fake. We request all relevant institutions and media not to use that word as we have worked hard for four years to meet international standards and to attain this degree after spending a huge amount,” said Jawwad, who has just completed his degree under the same programme.
He said that even if the money is returned from any party but their degrees are not recognised, it would waste their precious four years. “We have applied abroad for higher studies on the basis of these degrees and many have got jobs on the basis of this qualification. We appeal the government to recognise degrees of close to 3,000 students,” he said adding that their future should not suffer due to administrative mistakes of relevant institutions.
The students said that dual degree under joint programme of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) and Lancaster programme should be issued to enrolled students as per unanimous decisions of Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Federal Education and Trainings.
The student representatives of enrolled students of Comsats-Lancaster programme, Jawwad and Uzair Kiyani informed the media persons that Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology in its two meetings on July 27 and August 18 unanimously decided the award of dual degree to all the students enrolled for Comsats-Lancaster programme. Later one this decision was also endorsed by Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Trainings.
They claimed that some elements are creating hindrances in the implementation of recommendations. “Cancellation of these degrees would close the doors for future collaborations with leading foreign universities in future,” they said.
Anjuman Tulba Islam (ATI) Secretary Information Syed Waqar Shah criticised 50 per cent increase in the fee of one of the leading federal universities. “It would discourage students to apply even in public sector universities,” he said. He said that silence of HEC over this important issue is condemnable. He urged President of Pakistan, being chancellor of federal universities, to take notice of this situation.
ATI Central Secretary General Rehan Tahir blamed Higher Education Commission (HEC) for negligence. As this programme was in the knowledge of HEC, he said the commission must have taken action much earlier to save the future of thousands of students.
He praised HEC for the promotion of higher education in the country but said that despite the lapse of more than 17 months, regular HEC executive director has not been appointed. He requested prime minister of Pakistan, being controlling authority of HEC, to look into this matter. He said that dual degrees are awarded in India, Malaysia and many other countries.
Meanwhile, Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) in a press release maintained that it is fully committed to resolving the issue (Dual Degree Program at its Lahore Campus) amicably.
In this regard, the recommendations or directives of the Standing Committee on Science & Technology of the Senate held on July 24, 2015 and August 18, 2015 have already been referred to the HEC for further guidance, so that the said decisions may be implemented in true letter and spirit. CIIT hopes the issue would soon be resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, especially the concerned students, as securing their future is its first priority.