COMMENT: Revamping undergraduate education.

Byline: Dr S. Zulfiqar Gilani

THE undergraduate degree is the flagship of any higher education system. However, in Pakistan very little attention was given in the past to the substance and quality of undergraduate education. To address that gap, the Higher Education CommisAsion (HEC) has decided to revamp the undergraduate system to ensure that students get a useful, meaningful, and practical education which increases the likelihood of their success.

The HEC approach to revamping followed two broad trajectories. On the one hand it was inclusive and partnership-based, towards which end the commission organised and conducted two dialogues, five consultations, and 10 workshops. A total of 143 universities from across the country and Azad Kashmir were represented in these events, and over a thousand people participated. The participants incluAded vice chancellors/rectors, members of university and college faculties, college principals, secretaries and other officials of the governments' higher education departments.

There was an overwhelming appreciation and acceptance of the HEC's efforts as well as offers of support.

The other trajectory was academic in nature, for which the HEC organised numerous focused discussions with academics to benefit from their knowledge, experience and understanding, to interrogate and analyse inputs and feedback from the above-mentioned events, and to examine and learn from the international best practices.

The grand objective of revamping is to provide competence-based education (CBE). It comprises the following four observable and measurable aspects: knowledge, which is the cognizance of facts, truths and principles of a particular field.

Skills, which is the ability to perform physical or mental activities in a particular profession, as well as to think critically and creatively and to learn how to learn.

Behavioural attributes, which incAlAuAAde characteristics like agency, adaptability, honesty, curiosity, and punctuality.

Interpersonal qualities that include empathy, self-confidence, inclusiveness, leadership, and collaboration.

The revamping aims at preparing students to apply the acquired knowledge and skills to life's challenges, rather than merely acquiring theoretical knowledge. It emphasises exploration, curiosity, discovery, and creativity amongst students.

Finally, undergraduate degrees have been designed to be terminal degrees. It means that while some students may seek further education in order to...