Islamabad, 6 May, 2025: The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has issued a firm directive to all public universities across the province to verify faculty and staff degrees through the Higher Education Commission (HEC), aiming to eliminate academic fraud from the education sector.
This instruction was delivered during a committee session chaired by Nisar Khuhro on Monday, where audit findings related to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Larkana and Dawood University of Engineering and Technology were reviewed for the financial years 2017 and 2018.
Auditors expressed serious reservations about hiring practices at some institutions, raising alarms over employees being appointed without prior validation of their academic records by HEC.
In response, SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Dr. Nusrat Shah clarified that medical degrees like MBBS and BDS were typically verified by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which issues official certificates. She noted that HEC verification is completed when specifically required.
READ MORE: HEC to Build 2 Universities in Islamabad
Dr. Shah also disclosed that during recent checks, the university found one staff member whose educational documents could not be authenticated. That individual’s employment was promptly terminated.
Following these findings, the committee has now made it mandatory for all higher education institutions in Sindh to verify faculty and staff degrees via HEC within one month.
A report confirming compliance must be submitted to the committee within the same time frame.
Any staff member whose qualifications cannot be verified is to be removed from duty without delay.
Chairman Khuhro emphasized that individuals with falsified credentials have no place in the academic system and that strict measures must be taken to protect the integrity of public education.
He noted that the practice of bypassing proper vetting undermines the trust placed in educational institutions.
READ MORE: HEC Warns Students Against Enrolling in THIS University
The meeting was attended by senior academic leaders, including Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Dawood University, and other relevant officials from the education and audit departments.
This move comes amid growing scrutiny of hiring procedures at public institutions, with authorities determined to ensure transparency and uphold academic standards.
Education experts have welcomed the step, calling it a crucial measure in maintaining the credibility of teaching institutions and protecting students from unqualified educators.
