New PEC Policy Decision Allows Pre-Medical Students to Apply for Engineering Programs

New PEC Policy Decision Allows Pre-Medical Students to Apply for Engineering Programs

In a significant move, the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has announced a new policy decision that allows students with Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) in Pre-Medical to be considered for admission into engineering programs across Pakistan. This decision was made during the 49th meeting of the PEC Governing Body held on June 28, 2024. The policy aims to provide a broader opportunity for students from different educational backgrounds to pursue engineering education, ensuring adherence to quality standards and proper academic preparation.

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Policy Highlights

The policy outlines several key guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to follow for the admission of HSSC (Pre-Medical) students into engineering programs:

1. Entry Test Modifications: Entry test mechanisms will be moderated to include both the HSSC (Pre-Medical) qualification and its weightages for admission eligibility.
2. Condensed Program: An 8-week condensed program will be conducted to compensate for deficient courses in Mathematics. This program is essential for pre-medical students to become eligible for admission into engineering programs.
3. Provisional Admission: Pre-medical students may be considered for provisional admission after completing the foundational courses to qualify for eligibility through entry tests.
4. Quality Assurance: The universities offering the 8-week condensed program must ensure the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment.
5. Admission Criteria: Admissions will be based on discipline-specific merit and student preferences, ensuring fair access for all applicants.
6. Seat Allocation: Up to 40% of the total intake for each batch of engineering programs can be filled with students from the pre-medical background who successfully complete the condensed program.
7. Entry Test for Condensed Program Students: Universities will conduct a separate entry test for students completing the condensed program to determine their merit for final admission.
8. Regional Admissions Cycles: The admissions cycle may vary by region, aligning with local academic year commencement requirements.
9. Minimum HSSC Requirement: A minimum of 60% in HSSC is mandatory for admission to engineering programs, as per the updated PEC regulations.

Implementation and Compliance

The SRO (Statutory Regulatory Order) for the amendment in PEC Regulations is under process and will be shared with HEIs shortly. Institutions are expected to comply with the new guidelines to facilitate the seamless admission of pre-medical students into engineering disciplines.

Conclusion

The PEC’s policy decision marks a progressive step in integrating diverse educational backgrounds into engineering education in Pakistan. By offering a pathway for HSSC (Pre-Medical) students to transition into engineering programs, the PEC aims to harness a broader talent pool while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Institutions are encouraged to implement these guidelines effectively to ensure that the quality of engineering education remains un-compromised.

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