The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has urged students planning to join private institutions across Pakistan to check whether their chosen universities and institutes are accredited before enrolling. The advice points them to the official HEC website.
The commission said many students enrol without confirming that an institution is recognised by the HEC. As a result, families can lose money spent on degrees that carry no accreditation. The HEC described the move as an awareness advisory meant to prevent such losses.
What the HEC website offers students
The website carries a full list of recognised universities and their approved campuses. It also includes a directory of Transnational Education (TNE) programmes, which let students earn foreign university degrees while remaining in Pakistan. A separate list names illegal and fake institutions operating in the country.
QR codes for faster institute checks
To make checks quicker, the HEC has introduced scannable QR codes. These link directly to information on recognised universities, TNE programmes and fake institutions. The commission has asked prospective students to confirm an institute’s legal status before applying, saying the step would save both time and money.
